“The Summer Wives is an exquisitely rendered novel that tackles two of my favorite topics: love and money. The glorious setting and drama are enriched by Williams’s signature vintage touch. It’s at the top of my picks for the beach this summer.”
—Elin Hilderbrand, author of The Perfect Couple
New York Times bestselling author Beatriz Williams brings us the blockbuster novel of the season—an … bestselling author Beatriz Williams brings us the blockbuster novel of the season—an electrifying postwar fable of love, class, power, and redemption set among the inhabitants of an island off the New England coast . . .
In the summer of 1951, Miranda Schuyler arrives on elite, secretive Winthrop Island as a schoolgirl from the margins of high society, still reeling from the loss of her father in the Second World War. When her beautiful mother marries Hugh Fisher, whose summer house on Winthrop overlooks the famous lighthouse, Miranda’s catapulted into a heady new world of pedigrees and cocktails, status and swimming pools. Isobel Fisher, Miranda’s new stepsister—all long legs and world-weary bravado, engaged to a wealthy Island scion—is eager to draw Miranda into the arcane customs of Winthrop society.
But beneath the island’s patrician surface, there are really two clans: the summer families with their steadfast ways and quiet obsessions, and the working class of Portuguese fishermen and domestic workers who earn their living on the water and in the laundries of the summer houses. Uneasy among Isobel’s privileged friends, Miranda finds herself drawn to Joseph Vargas, whose father keeps the lighthouse with his mysterious wife. In summer, Joseph helps his father in the lobster boats, but in the autumn he returns to Brown University, where he’s determined to make something of himself. Since childhood, Joseph’s enjoyed an intense, complex friendship with Isobel Fisher, and as the summer winds to its end, Miranda’s caught in a catastrophe that will shatter Winthrop’s hard-won tranquility and banish Miranda from the island for nearly two decades.
Now, in the landmark summer of 1969, Miranda returns at last, as a renowned Shakespearean actress hiding a terrible heartbreak. On its surface, the Island remains the same—determined to keep the outside world from its shores, fiercely loyal to those who belong. But the formerly powerful Fisher family is a shadow of itself, and Joseph Vargas has recently escaped the prison where he was incarcerated for the murder of Miranda’s stepfather eighteen years earlier. What’s more, Miranda herself is no longer a naïve teenager, and she begins a fierce, inexorable quest for justice for the man she once loved . . . even if it means uncovering every last one of the secrets that bind together the families of Winthrop Island.
more
Super Fun Summer Read!!! I would definitely recommend!
I love Beatriz Williams, and this book didn’t disappoint. It’s not my favorite of hers but still a good novel. Like most BW books, this one tells the story from the perspective of two characters and at different points in time. However, unlike other BW books, the two characters don’t interact much in the novel. There is a small mystery which provides a bit of a twist at the end. There is less sex in this novel than other BW books and, while the main character’s love of another character is a main theme, there’s more character development (especially of the secondary characters) than in the other BW books I’ve read.
The Wrong Made Right
I won a copy of this book from the author, I was not required to give a favorable review. This was such a great story. It tells of a time when you went away to your summer homes to spend the summers away from the big cities. But each of the characters of such stories to tell. Miranda’s mother married into the wealth of the island after her father had died in WWII, and with it she acquired a step-sister. But her step-father had a secret of his own from when he was younger and before he married his first wife. He fell for a island girl and because of it she had to marry another because she was pregnant. But she hurt her family by stealing her cousins man and naming him the father. But the story goes between the time they all were young, and when the children were teens and then when they all became adults. Especially when the child of the summer wife is blamed for killing a wealthy man who happens to be his father. But I loved it. It gives you a look into a different time.
I’ve read all of Beatrix Williams’ books. Summer Wives is her latest novel and it did not disappoint. Another fabulous read.
I have read all of the Beatrix Williams books and she never disappoints. Love her style of writing. Her characters are always fascinating and realistic.
There couldn’t be a better beach book! Without divulging details, this is the story of a group of people who came together over the years on a small island off the coast of New England. It is also a story of race and class and how that changed over the decades. Parts of it will be a tutorial for younger readers, while for others it will be a trip down memory lane. The writing is excellent and the characters engaging. The ending isn’t predictable. You’ll love it!
I enjoy most of Beatriz Williams books. Cocoa Brach was boring but this book was more of a redemption for her. Written very much like The Secret Life of Violet Grant. Part love story part mystery all enfolding in a beautiful landscape. I truly enjoyed this book.
I found the end of the book regarding the relationship between the two central characters totally unrealistic. The fact that the book’s structure is to jump back and forth from 2 different time periods that are separated by over 10 years, diminishes all the things that happens to these two people. Therefore, the fact that they can still feel the same way, as thought nothing has happened it very unlikely. In addition, the book was very predictable.
This is my favorite author and she never disappoints. Fascinating stories with characters alive with appeal and twists and turns to keep you from putting them down. Particularly like the feeling that I was right there in that world.
Hard to get into but now it is getting much more interesting. I love her books but this one took some time to hook me.
Very well written by a totally professional story teller. The story takes place in a strange sort of fairy tale land filled with incredible characters. I know the fairy tale and incredible character parts are true because I lived on the subject island (Winthrop Island for Fishers Island) during the period of the story. Very entertaining and I recommend highly to readers. Mike Posey
Another fabulous book by Beatriz Williams. A great beach read.
This book is about the clash of two cultures here – the rich, privileged summer families and the immigrant working class local families who live on the island year round. The interaction of these cultures sets us up for intrigue, mystery, and romance.
Set on exclusive Winthrop Island off the New England Coast, the book alternates between the 1930s with the story of the love affair between a local year-round resident girl and her rich lover, and the 1950s and 60s with Miranda Schuyler’s story.
Miranda’s father has died in the war and in 1951 Miranda and her mother arrive on Winthrop Island. Her mother is marrying Hugh Fisher, part of the inner circle on the island. She also meets her new stepsister Isobel who educates her on the ins and outs of the high society summer families and the year-round local families. Miranda is immediately smitten when she sees Joseph Vargus, one of the locals. Joseph’s father the local lighthouse keeper and in the summers Joseph helps his father maintain their lobster boats. But when summer is over Joseph attends college, wanting to make something of himself. Joseph and Isobel have always had a close relationship and Miranda battles with her attraction for Joseph and her desire not to hurt her sister.
Then in 1969 Miranda returns to Winthrop Island. She is now a famous actress but is shunned on the island because of her association with Joseph who is in prison for the murder of Miranda’s stepfather. Miranda, healing from her own disastrous marriage, learns that Joseph has escaped from prison. She now becomes determined to prove Joseph is innocent.
Beatriz Williams is a master storyteller so you know her books are always beautifully written. The tightly held secrets of the Islanders will slowly unravel as outsiders probe into the mysteries. The characters are relatable and likeable. As I read I could feel myself going with the ebb and flow of the island life. I highly recommend this book.
Thank you to William Morrow books for the advance reading copy.
This author will transport you in this book!!!! I couldn’t put it down!
An island all unto itself yet not far from Long Island Sound sits Winthrop Island. Winthrop is a summer getaway for the rich and home to people that live there year round to make a living. It is here where the lines get crossed between the islanders and the summer people. Where it is forbidden for the son or daughter of the rich to fall in love with an islander. It is where the sordid affairs of the Fisher family, the Vargas family and the Medeiro family become entwined. Secrets that no one could imagine. Forbidden love affairs, children born of theses love affairs, a murder whose murderer holds the secret of the truth until their dying day.
The Summer Wives is a beautifully written story that draws you in immediately and keeps you there until the very end. At the end you are left wanting a sequel.
I loved this book. Beatriz Williams is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. The first book of hers I read was Cocoa Beach and I enjoyed it but this story is even better. Can’t wait for Beatriz Williams next book!
The Summer Wives is Beatriz Williams best book so far! I absolutely loved it!!
3.5
The book is well written. The storyline is high society and island living. It’s not typically the type of books I enjoy. I thought it dragged a bit until the end when a lot of the action began. I would recommend this book if you enjoy historical fiction and society living.