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.

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).

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.

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.

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 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.

Well the thing is poor people have these problems too. I say if you must suffer, you might as well do it in a beautiful house.

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?

‘Wealthy’ takes on a whole new definition when dealing with Nantucket. I’d say most are all doing well by DC big law/finance -type standards. But they still work. Also, as an island community, if you live there year round, chances are your social circle is socioeconomically diverse - there really aren’t that many people to choose from for friends.

I love her books but the first ones are better. The later ones veer into formulaic.
I thought her books were interesting as they describe contemporary wealthy people somewhat realistically as opposed to old fashioned rich people. I think her tone with description of people’s thoughts excellent but in her earlier work. Later work not do much.

Anonymous wrote:

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

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

The shocking death part. Not the great beach part.

I like her books. They're not the deepest but they're fun reads. I follow her on Instagram and she seems to really enjoy life.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/books/its-okay-to-admit-it-wed-all-like-to-be-living-in-an-elin-hilderbrand-novel/2020/05/27/724c2da0-3ba1-11ea-8872-5df698785a4e_story.html

I loved this recent Post article. I listen to her books while driving or exercising. She’s a good distraction and far from taxing. Some of them take place in St. John’s, so it’s a nice break from Nantucket.

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 love her books. Her characters are so well-painted.

I liked her earliest novels best: The Blue Bistro, The Beach Club, Summer People, Barefoot, and Beautiful Day. I think that's back when she was still trying to be a "serious" writer.

But ever since she started leaning into the "Queen of Summer Beach Reads" label, her books have been really lacking on plot and any degree of realism.

I agree with PP that she's veering into Danielle Steel territory. She's all into yachts, penthouses, private jets, and so on. Basically "rich people porn" for middle class readers, just like Danielle Steel.

Anonymous wrote: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.

I watch "Real Housewives" and enjoy Mary Higgins Clark. I drink Smirnoff Ice and eat Cadbury Eggs.

I am not fancy, snobby, a poseur or "jelly." Her writing is just not good. That's the start and end of it. I'm glad some people can enjoy the plots and imagery she conjures up, but when I can't make it through a mindless audiobook (and I know from mindless audiobooks), it's B-A-D.