AN INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER “Sexy and satisfying, Big Summer is the perfect quarantine read.” —USA TODAY “The beach read to end all beach reads.” —Entertainment Weekly “Big fun, and then some. It’s empowering and surprising—a reminder to put down the phone and enjoy each moment for what it is.” —The Washington Post A deliciously funny, remarkably poignant, and simply unputdownable … Washington Post
A deliciously funny, remarkably poignant, and simply unputdownable novel about the power of friendship, the lure of frenemies, and the importance of making peace with yourself through all life’s ups and downs. From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Good in Bed and Best Friends Forever, Big Summer is the perfect escape with one of the most lovable heroines to come to the page in years.
Six years after the fight that ended their friendship, Daphne Berg is shocked when Drue Cavanaugh walks back into her life, looking as lovely and successful as ever, with a massive favor to ask. Daphne hasn’t spoken one word to Drue in all this time—she doesn’t even hate-follow her ex-best friend on social media—so when Drue asks if she will be her maid-of-honor at the society wedding of the summer, Daphne is rightfully speechless.
Drue was always the one who had everything—except the ability to hold onto friends. Meanwhile, Daphne’s no longer the same self-effacing sidekick she was back in high school. She’s built a life that she loves, including a growing career as a plus-size Instagram influencer. Letting glamorous, seductive Drue back into her life is risky, but it comes with an invitation to spend a weekend in a waterfront Cape Cod mansion. When Drue begs and pleads and dangles the prospect of cute single guys, Daphne finds herself powerless as ever to resist her friend’s siren song.
A sparkling novel about the complexities of female relationships, the pitfalls of living out loud and online, and the resilience of the human heart, Big Summer is a witty, moving story about family, friendship, and figuring out what matters most.
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My Review of Big Summer by Jennifer Weiner; published by Atria Books
This book couldn’t have been written at a better time with the confluences of social media and all it’s impacts, both positively and negatively. Big Summer by Jennifer Weiner turned out to be a surprise read for me as I really didn’t know what I was in store for. Jennifer created a plus size protagonist, Daphne, that takes you through all her emotions of life, both as a child and as an adult. I found myself enraptured with the story, especially due to the twists, turns, and surprises throughout. My biggest takeaway from this book is pride. No matter how others think of you, loving who you are is insurmountable in surviving the often unforgiving ways of others. I enjoyed Big Summer by Jennifer Weiner and highly recommend it.
#jenniferweiner
#atriabooks
This book is different with interesting characters and a surprise ending.
I really didn’t know what this book was about I really thought it was a summer read and a beach read but I was completely wrong, this story will make you believe that you’re about to read those kinds of stories about bloggers and influencers that nowadays we are seeing in many books and personally I really dislike that kind of topics and book but Big summer is nothing like that. it will really take you to some scenarios that you won’t see them coming and that will make this story even more appealing and more intriguing.
Big summer has mystery, suspense and romance, and many hidden agendas that you won’t see them coming. by the end of the book, you will be speechless because you wot really see where the story or that ending hit you.
I like the character of Daphne but I have to admit that at times she was very trusting even when people already hurt her in a terrible wat, at those times I was always screaming to her like NOOO you’re going to regret but that’s what I like about stories like this that play with your emotions in such a way that will blind you to what’s coming next.
The worst character of the story for me was Drue I really didn’t like her not even at the end, I don’t care how much she suffered, she never had any excuse to treat people like she did, and also everybody was kissing her grow I will not do that for a person who only is trying to steal and trying to get everything you have and she is not happy that she doesn’t. she was mean and always very cold I really never understood how Daphne who was totally opposite to her was her best friend.
other than that there were few other characters who made this story more enjoyable like Nick but the rest were so meh
overall it was a good read with good characters
I love Jennifer Weiner! Big Summer is an enjoyable story about friendships and forgiveness. This novel is based on an unconventionally rekindled friendship at a society wedding on Cape Cod. Daphne and Drue learn what’s really important in life, and what is worth letting go of. A great and heartfelt book!
3.5 stars. Big Summer is a hard book to review because of spoilers. The latest novel by Jennifer Weiner is one of those books you should probably read without knowing much at all, so I will tread lightly and give you my general thoughts.
I read this one quickly, and I would definitely place it in the “beach read” category. It’s much more like Weiner’s earlier novels than the successful Mrs. Everything from last year. I was okay with that. While I enjoyed Mrs. Everything, it didn’t wow me. I was ready for something more reminiscent of Good in Bed, my first Weiner read, and one I gave five stars to.
I loved the main character Daphne. She’s relevant, sassy, inspiring, and not without her flaws, which is what makes a character real for me. What kept me from loving Big Summer was a somewhat weak plot that felt like it needed more editing. There were small things that felt inconsistent with the story and the characters, as well as a prologue that didn’t make much sense until much later in the book. But I found myself wishing the prologue would have continued. I almost wanted to hear that story more than the one I got.
But Big Summer does put a much needed spotlight on important issues like fat-shaming and social media, and for that reason, I do hope people will pick it up!
Not one of her best.
Prelude character is know where in chapter 1. Unorganized.
I usually love everything this author puts out, but the last two novels have been disappointing. Both very different from her usual style, and it’s just not for me.
Chalk up another gem to Jennifer Weiner who has written a unique blend of women’s fiction, mystery, positive messaging, and a cautionary tale of social media. You get the author’s signature talent for relatable female characters that are easy to root for mixed with an unexpected genre twist that makes the second half of the book feel entirely new and fresh, like two novels in one.u2063
I loved every minute and highly recommend it!
Perfect summer story. Loved the characters and especially the MC’s relationship with her parents. I didn’t know what it was going to be about at all and loved the surprise.
This book had sooop much hype, a beautiful cover, celebrated author, and an intriguing blurb—everything going for it. And then I read it. It could have been great with some serious editing, as there were definite gems of ideas and characters, but several negatives:
The pacing. The first half and second half of this bool were basically two different books. The second half is a completely standard whodunnit mystery (I wouldn’t even say thriller—it’s really just mystery—not that there’s anything wrong with that). The first half has no discernible plot and is completely backstory to set up the mystery. I appreciate the backstory and understand it’s necessity, but it shouldn’t be half the book. Maybe a third, at most. Or maybe mixed in more—do more time flipping. But I was just waiting and waiting and waiting for the murder and it was a LONG wait.
The main character, Daphne, is a plus-size influencer her size is obviously a part of who she is and her job. But we could not go one paragraph in the first half of the book without her size/weight being mentioned. It wasn’t just a part of who she was—it became WHO she was. As mentioned above, I think a lot of the backstory should have been cut or trimmed, and that would have helped the repetitive nature of these comments and their overly central focus.
This books didn’t feel particularly fresh. It felt like a mashup of One to Watch and any Elin Hilderbrand novel. But less creative than either. It was like it was trying to to take a standard mystery and say “But let’s include social media! And a plus-size heroine! It will be modern and fresh!” But those additions do not make it modern and fresh, they’re merely a shiny new coat of paint on an old car.
For the positives, I really enjoyed the characters. Daphne, our MC, the victim, Drue, Daphne’s best friend, Darshi. I also love classic mysteries—this one was just trying too hard to be something it wasn’t. I think a good edit would have taken this 3.5 star read for me and catapulted it to five, as what’s not to love? Famous people, privilege, the Cape, weddings, murder, affairs, crime-solving, body positivity… all great things! Just not packaged in a way I liked, unfortunately.
Y’all! I’ve been dying to read this book since it was released and was so excited when I won a copy recently. I’ve seen some mixed reviews but this book did not disappoint! I truly enjoyed it.
Daphne is not the stereotypical leading lady and I absolutely loved that. She wasn’t the popular girl and doesn’t have a model’s figure…she has flaws and insecurities like all of us and seeing how she worked through those was so encouraging. There was a good dose of mystery and romance but my favorite story line was Daphne discovering how blessed she truly was and learning to love the skin she’s in…imperfections and all! In a society that puts so much stock in social media, just as in the book, it’s easy to believe that everyone else has it all together and lives a perfect life. Honestly though, we’re all just putting the best of ourselves out there because we don’t want others to see the messy/ugly parts. Self acceptance was a strong theme in this book and I think that’s a message that we can never hear enough!
I think this book would be a great light beach/pool read and it was a story that I thoroughly enjoyed. I definitely recommend it!
Just a light easy to read get away – plots not too deep, characters like able.
Finally a fun smart witty book with a plus size girl who loves her self!! She works out she takes care of her self and she’s confident in her own skin. Daphne is a social media influencer she pushes body positivity. She is glamorous and pretty and has a following of girls who want to be her. She is just amazing. She wasn’t always like this her whole life she was fat shamed and she tried everything to loose weight and hide herself one bad incident and a fight that ended toxic people from her life changed everything.
To bad that toxic came back and she fell for it hook line and sinker. When her x bestie came back into her life she saw what she was missing the fun in life that came with Drue’s crappy attitude. With the wedding of the year and she was given a golden ticket to be in it and blow up her social media following it’s hard to say no. But more than that Daphne misses all the good times that came with Drue. So against her better judgement she is now in the wedding all the fun festivities that comes with it. This book was fantastic it was fun and sweet and a little mystery and some other surprises this was a fun summer read.
Nice twist. Original diverse characters
This was a book that I was expecting to be a fun chick lit beach read, but it was that and a mystery too which was a great surprise. Daphne, a woman who was fat shamed while she was in college, has become a social media influencer for plus sized women. She is also a nanny. She has wonderful, supportive parents and shares an apartment with her best friend. This story combines family, female friendships, romance, and mystery in a wonderful package. It does go from the present to school flashbacks as Daphne tries to work through the mystery, but it adds to the background and helps the reader to understand the characters better. I did not expect the mystery or where things went from there, but it was a happy surprise. A great beach read!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
The story switched mid stream which I wasn’t expecting but it sure worked! The theme continued throughout both story lines. A perfect summer read!
Jennifer Weiner’s latest novel, Big Summer, is set largely in the world of Instagram, Twitter, hashtags and “influencers,” a world that is totally foreign to me. It still is—I want no part of living obsessively on line. Nevertheless, I enjoyed Big Summer immensely, reading most of it on one Sunday.
Daphne Berg has become a plus-size influencer (well, her gig as a part time nanny actually pays most of the bills) since a video of her standing up to a rude man in a night club went viral. Since then she’s made great strides in accepting herself and encouraging others; in fact she’s just landed a gig as the face and figure of a new clothing line.
Daphne’s life takes an unexpected turn when her high school frenemy, Drue Cavanaugh, pops back into her life. Daphne resists even seeing Drue—it’s been years, ever since the night of that video. Drue had a hand in setting Daphne up with the guy (“we felt sorry for you”), and Daphne remembers all too clearly how often Drue hurt her, insulted her or dumped her. But Drue is one of the charismatic people, so hard to resist, and when she begs Daphne to be in her high society wedding on Cape Cod, Daphne relents. After all, it will be a great opportunity to post pictures of her sponsors’ clothes and products. And maybe Drue has really changed.
Big Summer starts out as a women’s fiction, but about halfway through it takes a sharp turn into mystery territory. Daphne finds herself juggling the roles of suspect and investigator. With help from two friends and her parents, she rises to the occasion, uncovering secret after secret about Drue and her apparently perfect life and world. Along the way she realizes that the friend she envied in high school may have had good reason to envy her.
Daphne Berg is a likable and relatable heroine, and it’s a pleasure to travel with her as she navigates the on line world and the real world, body image, female friendship, and even a romance.
Jennifer Weiner always gets such high
praise for her writing and when you read this, you’ll see why. It starts out as a chick lit book with a real girl who is inspiring to the reader. She has a former best friend in Drue, who really hurt her. When Drue is planning her wedding, she begs Daphne’s forgiveness and asks her to be a part of it. Daphne goes through a lot to overcome her hurt to be there for her old friend. While she goes and tries to rebuild their friendship, the easy woman’s fiction of the book quickly changes into a different book! I won’t tell the twist, but trust me, it’s something else that you have to read!
Not as good as her others