“A mesmerizing, head-spinning—and sometimes madcap-hilarious—take of have and have-nots.”—People (Book of the Week) NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY REAL SIMPLE AND KIRKUS REVIEWS • “In the smart, breezy, sweet spot between Meg Wolitzer and Elin Hilderbrand.”—Entertainment Weekly No matter what the world throws her way, at least Ruthie Beamish has the house. Located by the sea in a … way, at least Ruthie Beamish has the house. Located by the sea in a quiet Long Island village, the house is her nest egg—the retirement account shared with her ex-husband, Mike, and the college fund for their teenage daughter, Jem. The catch? To afford the house, Ruthie must let it go during the best part of the year.
It’s Memorial Day weekend and the start of what Jem calls “the summer bummer”: the family’s annual exodus to make way for renters. This year, the Hamptons set has arrived. Adeline Clay is elegant and connected—and will never need to worry about money. Before long, she demonstrates an uncanny ability to help herself to Ruthie’s life. Is Adeline just being her fabulous self, or is she out to take what she wants?
When an eccentric billionaire, his wayward daughter, a coterie of social climbers, and Ruthie’s old flame are thrown into the mix, the entire town finds itself on the verge of tumultuous change. But as Ruthie loses her grasp on her job, her home, and her family, she discovers a new talent for pushing back. By the end of one unhinged, unforgettable summer, nothing will be the same—least of all Ruthie.
Praise for The High Season
“Blundell knows the territory. . . . Her account of Ruthie’s coming to grips with a career, a daughter and a community in flux is as touching as it is convincing.”—The Wall Street Journal
“A huge page-turner . . . so compelling . . . a classic beach read, but very smart, very intelligently written.”—Us Weekly, Emily Giffin’s Summer Reading Recommendations
“An acid-laced domestic drama set during one golden summer on the moneyed, beachy North Fork of Long Island.”—The New York Times
“Judy Blundell wields words like an oyster knife in this shimmering story of art, money, and celebrity.”—Helen Simonson, New York Times bestselling author of The Summer Before the War
“A wry, often hilarious story of a woman trying to keep it together when everything is going so, so wrong.”—Real Simple
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Her and her husband inherited a house in the Hamptons that they couldn’t afford. They stayed a bit off season but had to rent it for upkeep. She is the curator of a local Long Island museum and the board is looking to replace her. Meanwhile her husband falls for the famous person renting their house. It is a very interesting read bc it shows the discrepancies between the Hamptonrich and the people who struggle to stay ahead
Good writing but silly story
This was not the book I was looking for, though for others it seems it was a great fit. Do I recommend this book? Sure, everyone’s preferences are different. However, I only got through the first five chapters.
So, you can take what I say with a grain of salt, but I will still explain my rating below if you’re interested.
You know that person you try to avoid because every time you see them they have something negative or drama laden to tell you? The first five chapters of “The High Season” was the book version of that person. In fact, I can only recall two positives mentioned: Ruthie was described as a great boss and her renter liked her decorating style. That’s it. The rest was filled with the bittersweet remnants of a failed marriage, the indifferent attitude and literal high school drama of their teenage daughter, a conniving co-worker, and the financial woes of a part-time papparazzo whose mother is badgering her for a place to stay, plus her once caring, family-like landlords have turned startlingly abrasive. Oh, and let’s not forget about the mercy killing of a little bird with a rock.
So, I wasn’t expecting a sugary-sweet story or a comedy, but this was far from the relaxing, enjoyable book for which I was hoping.
I love this book! Gave it to my sister to read. She liked it too.
really loved this story, great book!
Fun read.
I thought this was a fantastic book. Lives up to its hype, which is considerable hype from a lot of heavy hitters in the book world. I hope Ms. Blundell can see her way clear to writing more adult fiction. Her incisiveness is much appreciated.
This is a must read.
One of those books that grabs you and won’t let go. Not a thriller, but it definitely had me running back to the pages at every opportunity.
Interesting story line, not pat
A summer read with some meat on its bones. Thoughtful reflections on women and aging, class in America, social media and other contmporary issues. The author has done some real research on the art world. Hard to put down.
Long Island North Fork is definitely the place to be in the summer. Full of excitement and drama. Delightful characters who are so funny to watch in that they are self absorbed social climbers. Obsessed with designer labels and impressing others. The world of celebrity, art and social events. Witty and fun to read. I read a reader copy via Net Galley and voluntarily chose to write a review.
Ruthie Beamish is living a complacent life along with her 15-year old daughter and ex-husband Mike. They’ve been amicably separated for three years and jointly own a house located in a quaint but tony village on the north fork of Long Island (the Hamptons are on the south fork). They’re not one of the wealthy residents but their lives are interwoven with them as Ruthie is the director of the town’s museum, the Belfry. However, in order to afford the upkeep on the home and survive financially, each summer they must vacate it for rentals and relocate to cheaper accommodations. Unfortunately, this high season brings turmoil from every direction for Ruthie, causing her to abandon her typical way of being and fight for what’s most important in her life.
This is a unique view into the personalities and behaviors of the ultra wealthy, not the standard fare you would expect to find (high-handedness, snobbery, extravagant spending, etc.). There is that but just as background. What’s really illuminating is the insight into their outlooks, values and aspirations that lie beneath the veneer. The contrasts between them and those who rely on their support was enlightening, seen through the eyes of Ruthie and Doe, a young woman who also works at the museum and has found a way to survive in this velvet jungle.
I vacillated between admiration and frustration for Ruthie but came to respect her as she was forced out of the cocoon she’d created for herself. It wasn’t always pretty or above board but she faced the realities head on, even when it was excruciatingly painful. Doe was a tougher character to embrace but eventually I came to appreciate her, completely unconventional with an ethical code that was sometimes questionable.
I loved this story, even when I didn’t like many of the people in it. Ruthie’s journey was authentic, boils and all and I liked how her choices weren’t even close to being predictable. Things aren’t wrapped in a bow but seeing a person come to fit in her own skin was enough for me. Tough story but one I’m glad I read. Julia Whelan delivers her typical outstanding performance, distinguishing the relevant characters and elevating an already fine story. 4.5 stars
Very entertaining story and a good ending. This is a great summer read! Highly recommended.
This book gave me all the feels. I love books that masquerade as simple beach/chicklit books, but under that eye-catching gorgeous cover they’re really books that will make you take a step back and examine yourself and the world around you–while also being the entertaining beach read you crave. It might be the fact that Ruthie, our protagonist, is my age and I could so identify with many of her thoughts and actions. I could see myself saying and doing and feeling the same way if my life suddenly blew up around me. But mostly I think it’s the great characters, the great setting, and the great story. I will most assuredly be looking forward to reading more from Ms. Blundell!
Gamut of emotions over this book…surprised, appalled, sad, mad…a little of everything. Basically two stories here. A woman has her world upended, how far will she go to get it back? Also a tale of social class, those who have and have not and how desperate money decisions can sometimes lead to surprising results. The characters all struggle with their own demons here, and I often wanted to strangle various characters at certain times, but in the end, there is always hope.
Thanks to #NetGalley and #RandomHouse for the ARC for review. #TheHighSeason
As a caveat, there was a storyline here between a 15 yo and a 23 yo that I found very disturbing and that I felt was NOT handled appropriately. Also, don’t look for nice characters in this book. The majority are greedy, graspy, selfish, not very nice people.
It was the wonderful writing and flow of the narrative that I really enjoyed on this one.