“The queen of beach books” (The Star-Ledger) returns to the shores of Nantucket in a novel about one memorable summer when flirtations flourish, family dramas play out, and scandalous secrets surface.NAMED ONE OF TEN BEST SUMMER BOOKS TO READ ON THE BEACH BY SMARTERTRAVEL Memorial Day weekend means that seasonal visitors have descended on the glamorous island of Nantucket. For year-round resident … island of Nantucket. For year-round resident Darcy Cotterill, it means late-night stargazing in the backyard of the beautiful house she grew up in and inherited from her beloved grandmother. It’s also Darcy’s chance to hit the beach and meet her new summertime neighbors. But the last person the thirty-year-old librarian expects to see staying next door is her ex-husband, Boyz, along with his wife, Autumn, and stepdaughter, Willow.
Darcy must also navigate the highs and lows of a new romantic relationship with local carpenter Nash Forester even as she becomes smitten with handsome vacationer Clive Rush, a musicologist in town to write a book and visit family. And she finds herself pulled into the concerns of Boyz, Autumn, a charming elderly neighbor, and an at-risk teen.
As the season nears its end, Darcy must decide her next move: retreating to the comforts of her steady and secure island life, or risking it all for a chance at true happiness.
Praise for Secrets in Summer
“Full of rich details about life on Nantucket, this breezy tale is at once nostalgic and hopeful. . . . The story is filled with sweet moments of unlikely female connections. An easily digestible, warmhearted tale of eye-opening friendships.”—Kirkus Reviews
“[Nancy] Thayer’s latest is a lovely and heartwarming contemporary read with its blend of humor and emotion set against the beautiful backdrop of Nantucket Island. Her well-crafted plot is infused with warmth and heartfelt, tender moments. Darcy is a strong, independent yet vulnerable heroine who will appeal to readers. Thayer’s engaging storytelling and authentic, endearing characters will keep readers turning the pages.”—RT Book Reviews
“Thayer’s beachside novel brims with themes that women’s-fiction readers love, and the plot skims important issues—infidelity, fear of commitment, grief—while maintaining its focus on Darcy’s personal growth and the intergenerational friendship between the four women.”—Booklist (starred review)
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I love a good summer read. I read this captivating story in one sitting…unputdownable! Grab a glass of sweet tea, get comfy on the porch swing and settle in with this book!
My beginning of summer reading has started out on a good note. Darcy inherited her grandmother’s house and now lives on Nantucket. Every summer she gets new neighbors who rent the houses next to her. One of the rentals is occupied by her ex-husband and new family. Another summer neighbor is Susan and her brood, and then there is the elderly Mimi and her grandson Clive. Between her boyfriend Nash, her friend Jordan, and the friends of the library where she works, she spends this summer trying to keep her ex’s step-daughter out of trouble and befriending those around her. As she questions her life and decisions, events change her prospective on her life and those around her. Good, light, summer read.
Nancy Thayer’s Secrets in Summer is a pleasurable and heartwarming story about Darcy Cotterill who grew up without her parents in her life. Family members shoved her from house-to-house as a young girl until her Grandmother, Penny, takes her in and gives her a stable life on the Island of Nantucket.
Now 30 years old, divorced, and working at the Nantucket Library as a children’s librarian, Darcy inherits her Grandmother’s cottage, and lives happily with her cat and books. She’s involved in a new relationship with Nash, and unexpectedly learns that her ex, his wife and step-daughter are her new neighbors for the summer. Clive and Mimi are also new summer neighbors that she becomes very fond of. However, she struggles with a crush she develops on Clive, and Mimi reminds her of her Grandmother. Darcy must decide what she truly wants and what makes her happy. She is a strong and responsible young woman with a good head on her shoulders and possesses strong moral values.
I think you will find Secrets in Summer to be a warm, relaxing read that involves love, friendship and family. I also found the other characters’ issues in their lives to be believable. I enjoyed this book, and I highly recommend it.
I won a copy of this by from The Smitten Word giveaway. I was not required to give a favorable review. All thoughts are my own. This is a wonderful story. I have read another book from Nancy and I was impressed by her writing again. She touches on how someone can do second chances on love and to a job she love. Darcy has gone through a divorce and find out that the home she lived as a young woman was left to her from her grandmother who raised her. It is on Nantucket Island and it was home. She met an married her husband just before she finished her Masters degree in Library Sciences and is working. She enjoys where she lives, her friends and the ability to pretty much walk everywhere. She has spent the last 3 years getting her life together, she has a job as the Assistant Librarian at the Children’s library, she has a wonderful set of friends, and but this summer things are about to change, the first one is her ex-husband and his new wife and step-daughter are renting the home behind her, and they don’t realize she lives there. There is a family with 3 little boys next door on the right, and a grandmother and adult grandson living on the other side of her. She hears and is told so many secrets that she keeps to herself. She finally has found love again, but is afraid to say because she is waiting for him. This is will leave to wonderful and very adventures summer for everyone
I enjoy this writer very much! I recommend all of her books, they are funny, entertaining and great escapes!!
Great summer read
fun summer read
A favorite writer.
Nancy ThYer never disappoints!
I love beach novels! An excellent read!
One of my favorite authors whose contemporary stories are always spot on.
great summer read
Loved the different generations that became friends!!
It is beach read and quick to get through. I liked the originality of the friendship groups ages and learning about Nantucket. But it will never earn great prizes for literature, it is just a page turner to fill a few hours. However, I was in the right space to enjoy it and I did.
easy summer read…i’m a sucker for a happy ending!
When you want a great beach book, wonderful setting , well written about the most beautiful Island…. A great escape.
Great summer beach read! It’s a story of Darcy Cotterill, librarian on Nantucket. It shows how people can have a lasting impression on your life even if they’re only in it for a few months. Darcy had to make some decisions whether to follow her heart to love and happiness.