NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • A Nantucket woman returns home to find that reunions aren’t always simple, in this heartwarming novel from the New York Times bestselling author of A Nantucket Wedding and Secrets in Summer. “Fans of Elin Hilderbrand . . . should add Surfside Sisters to their beach bag.”—BooklistKeely Green always dreamed of leaving the beautiful shores of Nantucket to become a writer. … Green always dreamed of leaving the beautiful shores of Nantucket to become a writer. Now she’s a bestselling novelist living in New York City, attending glamorous cocktail parties and mingling with the literary elite. Keely is also dating a charming, perfectly fine pediatric surgeon who looks good on paper but isn’t “the one.” She just can’t bear to break it off—until he declares his desire to settle down. Then Keely’s editor rejects her latest novel. With her personal and professional lives suddenly in shambles, Keely longs for the soothing island way of life.
Growing up, Keely and her best friend, Isabelle, were inseparable. Nothing could come between them—except, as it turned out, Keely’s high school boyfriend, Tommy. Returning home would mean facing Isabelle’s bitter betrayal and seeing for herself the family Tommy and Isabelle have created, the life that might have been Keely’s.
But when Keely’s mother falls into a deep depression, Keely knows what she must do, even though she is reluctant to face her estranged friend. And encountering Isabelle’s older brother, Sebastian—Keely’s longtime crush—only complicates things.
In one incredible summer, Keely must confront the mistakes of the past if she has any chance of finding true happiness in the place she will always call home. Nancy Thayer shines yet again in this uplifting tale of forgiveness and self-discovery.
Praise for Surfside Sisters
“Readers who appreciate a busy, uplifting tale of friendship and romance will enjoy spending time on Thayer’s Nantucket.”—Publishers Weekly
“An engaging tale about how childhood expectations can be transformed on the journey through adulthood.”—Kirkus Reviews
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This is a wonderfully done book that will make the perfect beach read. Love them or hate them, the characters will make an impression on you and your emotions will be all over the place. This is the story of two girls from childhood through to adulthood and the journey their lives take. As kids they shared a passion for writing and words as well as a dream to become published authors. Some dreams are realized, hopes and desires change, relationships are strained but through all life throws their way the hope is that their friendship will remain. This is definitely a recommended read for all chick lit fans!
I love reading Nancy Thayer’s books. This one was good, but I guess I didn’t enjoy it as much as I have her other ones. It was an interesting tale of two girls, Keely and Isabelle, her best friend. They grew apart over the selfishness of Isabelle. Keely becomes a published writer before Isabelle. But it is a great story of forgiveness, understanding and becoming friends again. Quick read.
Surfside Sisters by author Nancy Thayer is another book set on the island of Nantucket and is about friendship, loyalty, and family. Keely Green has wanted to be a writer since she was a child. She and her best friend Isabelle Maxwell spend their time each day together planning stories and dreaming of one day being authors of best-selling novels. Keely has grown up in a modest home with her mom who works as a nurse. Isabelle is from a wealthy family and seems to have always had everything. As the two girls grow up and make life choices, they become estranged because of Tommy. Keely works hard to keep her focus on her writing even as she deals with disappointments.
The book weaves through the years, romances, success and failures for Keely and Isabelle.
I enjoyed the story very much but felt the last couple of chapters rushed the story to an ending. The character of Sebastian gets a bit lost.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
The storyline was good until the end of the book and then it seemed the author just looked for a way to end it before its end.
Finished it but it was difficult. The characters were unlikable and shallow. Unrealistic plot with no depth. Maybe it would have been better as a YA selection.
Loved the characters and story. Wish it were longer
Enjoyable
Nancy Thayer is always a sure hit for me. Great read!!!
Good story that keeps you interested and wanting to hurry and finish. Most entertaining to read about life on an island. Spans the lives and friendship of two young girls full of hopes and dreams. A good read.
This book had happy moments and sad moments. The key to each girl’s happiness seemed to depend on whether they could become friends again. Each one found a certain happiness in other ways while their friendship seemed to remain illusive. Interesting characters and good twists and turns but parts of it dragged a little long.
Boring.
If you’re looking for a quick beach read, look no further!
Another good book by Nancy Thayer
I enjoy Nancy Thayer and it was an easy read. I didn’t love all the characters — was annoyed by the “best friend”‘s entitled attitude — but it was a good summer read.
I always like to check out an author’s reviews on Goodreads and Amazon before requesting a title and was extremely excited to be approved for this title by NetGalley and Random House.
Although I enjoyed the book it did not meet my expectations. The beautiful friendship Keely and Isabelle had as children became petty and childish in high school. Isabelle became a self-centered brat and Keely should have written her off. Everything worked out in the end, and there were very touching scenes throughout the story that made the book more than worth my while to read. I also discovered I own one of the author’s books in my e-book library and look forward to reading it. Overall, I still highly recommend Nancy Thayer. Her talent shined throughout the pages and I’m sure her other books show her gift much better.
I always like to check out an author’s reviews on Goodreads and Amazon before requesting a title and was extremely excited to be approved for this title by NetGalley and Random House.
Although I enjoyed the book it did not meet my expectations. The beautiful friendship Keely and Isabelle had as children became petty and childish in high school. Isabelle became a self-centered brat and Keely should have written her off. Everything worked out in the end, and there were very touching scenes throughout the story that made the book more than worth my while to read. I also discovered I own one of the author’s books in my e-book library and look forward to reading it. Overall, I still highly recommend Nancy Thayer. Her talent shined throughout the pages and I’m sure her other books show her gift much better.
Keely and Isabelle have been friends forever. I enjoyed reading about their younger years and how much they enjoyed each others company and had similar ambitions. The story was interesting and watching the changes the girls had was what I expected of this book. The writing style was easy to read as well. Some characters were likeable, others not so much and also it depended on each persons perspective. People change or their perspective’s change and grow as they mature. However, there was so much angst, jealousy, and childishness as the two girls matured into women that I hated to read some of the chapters. At times, it felt like a contest between them, each wanting what the other had and not appreciating the blessings in their own lives. I also didn’t care that the characters fell into bed with boyfriends so easily.
That said, the story is a nice escape and the location sounds beautiful. Just not my cup of tea. Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.
I enjoyed this book, but not like I loved the others I have read by Nancy Thayer. I think I found the conflicts going on lasted way too long between Keely and Isabelle. I also found there was too much back and forth between Sebastian and Keely. Don’t get me wrong, I did enjoy it but I think there was just too much going on in this book. I enjoyed the interaction between Keely and her mother and I thought that was handled very well, I would enjoy a follow up with her mom…maybe a romance in the future? Pick up this book, read it and enjoy it!!
Another wonderful beach saga from Nancy Thayer, whose writing always makes the beach come alive for me. The friendship between Keely and Isabelle is explored; each one comes from a different background but shares the same dream of becoming a writer. Bonus for the writer’s journey!
3-ish stars, maybe 3.5 for Surfside Sisters by Nancy Thayer. I have always enjoyed this author’s work and really looked forward to her latest book.
I enjoyed reading about Keely and Isabelle and their hopes of becoming authors one day. Their friendship was nice, but right from some of the earliest parts of the book, Keely is allowing Isabelle to walk over her, giving up things she wants for Isabelle.
Had the characters grown and changed somewhat, I’d have been thrilled, but as it is, they pretty much stayed the same throughout years and years. Near the end Keely was still letting Isabelle walk over her and letting everyone else’s wishes come before hers.
I have LOVED Nancy Thayer’s beachy books, but this one trends more to YA to me or NA. It wasn’t nearly as well developed as I hoped and I was somewhat disappointed. What saved it for me was the beach scenes ~ the sights, the smells and the sounds that Ms. Thayer does so very well. There were times when I could picture myself there, whiling away time and letting my cares float away on the surf.
If you have enjoyed this author in the past, give the book a try. Not every book is for every person and this might just not have been for me. Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher for an ARC at my request. All thoughts in this review are my own and freely given.