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Summer Island
From the multi-million copy bestselling author of The Women, The Four Winds and The Nightingale, Summer Island is a poignant, warm and tender novel about a mother and daughter–the complex ties that bind them, the past that separates them, and the healing that comes with forgiveness.
Years ago, Nora Bridge walked out on her marriage and left her daughters behind. She has since become a famous radio talk-show host and newspaper columnist beloved for her moral advice. Her youngest daughter, Ruby, is a struggling comedienne who uses her famous mother as fuel for her bitter, cynical humour.
When the tabloids unearth a scandalous secret from Nora’s past, their estrangement suddenly becomes dramatic. Nora is injured in an accident and a glossy magazine offers Ruby a fortune to write a tell-all about her mother. Under false pretences, Ruby returns home to take care of the woman she hasn’t spoken to for almost a decade.
Nora insists they retreat to Summer Island, to the lovely old house on the water where Ruby grew up, a place filled with childhood memories of love and joy and belonging. There Ruby is also reunited with her first love and his brother. Once, the three of them had been best friends, inseparable. Until the summer that Nora had left and everyone’s hearts had been broken . . . .
Years ago, Nora Bridge walked out on her marriage and left her daughters behind. She has since become a famous radio talk-show host and newspaper columnist beloved for her moral advice. Her youngest daughter, Ruby, is a struggling comedienne who uses her famous mother as fuel for her bitter, cynical humour.
When the tabloids unearth a scandalous secret from Nora’s past, their estrangement suddenly becomes dramatic. Nora is injured in an accident and a glossy magazine offers Ruby a fortune to write a tell-all about her mother. Under false pretences, Ruby returns home to take care of the woman she hasn’t spoken to for almost a decade.
Nora insists they retreat to Summer Island, to the lovely old house on the water where Ruby grew up, a place filled with childhood memories of love and joy and belonging. There Ruby is also reunited with her first love and his brother. Once, the three of them had been best friends, inseparable. Until the summer that Nora had left and everyone’s hearts had been broken . . . .
400 pages, Paperback
First published March 13, 2001
15221 people are currently reading
72917 people want to read
About the author
Kristin Hannah
138 books282k followersKristin Hannah is the award-winning and bestselling author of more than 20 novels including the international blockbuster, The Nightingale, which was named Goodreads Best Historical fiction novel for 2015 and won the coveted People's Choice award for best fiction in the same year. It was named a Best Book of the Year by Amazon, iTunes, Buzzfeed, the Wall Street Journal, Paste, and The Week. In 2018,
The Great Alone became an instant New York Times #1 bestseller and was named the Best Historical Novel of the Year by Goodreads.
The Four Winds was published in February of 2021 and immediately hit #1 on the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and Indie bookstore's bestseller lists. Additionally, it was selected as a book club pick by the both Today Show and The Book Of the Month club, which named it the best book of 2021.
Firefly Lane, her beloved novel about two best friends, was the #1 Netflix series around the world, in the week it came out. The popular tv show stars Katherine Heigl and Sarah Chalke and Season Two is currently set to conclude the series on April 27, 2023.
Her new novel, The Women, about a young woman coming of age during the turbulent 1960's in America, who joins the Army Nurse Corps and serves in Vietnam will be published February 6th, 2024.
A former attorney, Kristin lives in the Pacific Northwest.
The Great Alone became an instant New York Times #1 bestseller and was named the Best Historical Novel of the Year by Goodreads.
The Four Winds was published in February of 2021 and immediately hit #1 on the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and Indie bookstore's bestseller lists. Additionally, it was selected as a book club pick by the both Today Show and The Book Of the Month club, which named it the best book of 2021.
Firefly Lane, her beloved novel about two best friends, was the #1 Netflix series around the world, in the week it came out. The popular tv show stars Katherine Heigl and Sarah Chalke and Season Two is currently set to conclude the series on April 27, 2023.
Her new novel, The Women, about a young woman coming of age during the turbulent 1960's in America, who joins the Army Nurse Corps and serves in Vietnam will be published February 6th, 2024.
A former attorney, Kristin lives in the Pacific Northwest.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 5,899 reviews
March 24, 2017
I was expecting this book to be a lighthearted easy read but boy was I ever wrong! This book absolutely destroyed me and had me sobbing by the end. I related so strongly to the main character Ruby, I felt like I was reading about myself at times and I think that's why I reacted so strongly to her story. In fact, reading Ruby's story opened my eyes to my own destructive behaviour that mirrors hers and it really forced me to think about difficult issues that I normally avoid. It was startling how much her life, everything she's been through and the demons in her closet were similar to mine. I just sat there for the longest time after finishing it, trying to gather my thoughts in a way that made sense. Reading this book was such a life changing moment for me and I simply can't express how much this book affected me. I still can't stop thinking about this book and I'm so thankful it ended up in my hands, I really needed to read this at this time in my life.
July 11, 2024
4.5 Stars
I'm just going to stare at the wall and think about life. 🥹 💖
Quotes-
🔅“ no , but I loved him too much, and that can be as bad as not loving someone enough. I needed so much reassurance and love, I sucked him dry. No man can fill up all the dark places in a woman’s soul.”
🔅“I know how it feels when someone you love stops loving you back. It's a kind of mini-death that breaks something inside of you.”
🔅“Living with an alcoholic will do that to you. You grow up hiding, flinching, protecting the very man you should expose”
🔅"I want someone in my family to love me while I'm alive. Is that so much to ask?"
🔅"As mothers and daughters, we are connected with one another. My mother is the bones of my spine, keeping me straight and true. She is my blood, making sure it runs rich and strong. She is the beating of my heart. I cannot now imagine a life without her.”
🔅“There’s no substitute for talking to the people you love. Thinking about them, dreaming about them, wishing things were different”
My KH Book Ratings-
✨The Woman- 5 Stars
✨The Great Alone- 5 Stars
✨The Nightingale- 4.5 Stars
✨ Summer Island- 4.5 Stars
✨True Colors- 4 Stars
I'm just going to stare at the wall and think about life. 🥹 💖
Quotes-
🔅“ no , but I loved him too much, and that can be as bad as not loving someone enough. I needed so much reassurance and love, I sucked him dry. No man can fill up all the dark places in a woman’s soul.”
🔅“I know how it feels when someone you love stops loving you back. It's a kind of mini-death that breaks something inside of you.”
🔅“Living with an alcoholic will do that to you. You grow up hiding, flinching, protecting the very man you should expose”
🔅"I want someone in my family to love me while I'm alive. Is that so much to ask?"
🔅"As mothers and daughters, we are connected with one another. My mother is the bones of my spine, keeping me straight and true. She is my blood, making sure it runs rich and strong. She is the beating of my heart. I cannot now imagine a life without her.”
🔅“There’s no substitute for talking to the people you love. Thinking about them, dreaming about them, wishing things were different”
My KH Book Ratings-
✨The Woman- 5 Stars
✨The Great Alone- 5 Stars
✨The Nightingale- 4.5 Stars
✨ Summer Island- 4.5 Stars
✨True Colors- 4 Stars
April 29, 2017
Okay, I am at work, so I'll have to make this review short and to the point.
This is the third Kristin Hannah book I have read, and while the first one was very touching ( True Colors ), the last two including this one, have been so-so.
I begin to think these books are like Lifetime movies. I don't know why I would watch, they aren't particularly any good... and yet, it is easy to let a wasted few hours go by while a movie (book) full of cliches and emotional manipulation bumbles along. Sometimes they can be touching, and other times I can literally feel braincells slowing down and dying off.
This book was no different. The main character Ruby was so predictable as to be nearly one-dimensional. Of course she can't accept love. Of course she hates her mother. Of course she dyes her hair black and wears lots of eyeliner. Of course she feels betrayed by her mother, and therefore, she will betray her back. I was so sick and tired of Ruby that I could not even feel bad for her. And, as one would expect, she miraculously makes up with her mother and falls in love with a rich, successful man that sees through all her many (I do mean many!) emotional flaws and worships her anyway.
Ugh. Like bad perfume - it was too cloying for me. Tried a tad too much. And, Hannah's attempt at adding humor fell short, very short.
This is the third Kristin Hannah book I have read, and while the first one was very touching ( True Colors ), the last two including this one, have been so-so.
I begin to think these books are like Lifetime movies. I don't know why I would watch, they aren't particularly any good... and yet, it is easy to let a wasted few hours go by while a movie (book) full of cliches and emotional manipulation bumbles along. Sometimes they can be touching, and other times I can literally feel braincells slowing down and dying off.
This book was no different. The main character Ruby was so predictable as to be nearly one-dimensional. Of course she can't accept love. Of course she hates her mother. Of course she dyes her hair black and wears lots of eyeliner. Of course she feels betrayed by her mother, and therefore, she will betray her back. I was so sick and tired of Ruby that I could not even feel bad for her. And, as one would expect, she miraculously makes up with her mother and falls in love with a rich, successful man that sees through all her many (I do mean many!) emotional flaws and worships her anyway.
Ugh. Like bad perfume - it was too cloying for me. Tried a tad too much. And, Hannah's attempt at adding humor fell short, very short.
February 9, 2022
A nice mother-daughter reunion.
Summer Island tells the story of Nora and her daughter Ruby who are on the outs. Nora left her husband and teenage daughters and is now a famous talk show host who gives others advice. Ruby is a struggling comedian who resents her mother.
When Nora gets caught in a public scandal, Ruby has the chance to write a tell-all about her mother that will launch her career. Ruby and Nora spend time together at their family summer home. As they revisit old memories, Ruby starts to understand her mother’s choices. The two woman reconnect and heal their relationship as they learn about each other. Ruby works to let go of her anger, and she realizes that it is holding her back from being happy.
The novel had some good messages about family, love, and forgiveness. However, the storyline wasn’t as captivating as I’d hoped, and it dragged on in places. The author’s writing is often descriptive, but for me this one had a bit too much description of the setting. The characters were developed well, each having grown through their challenges. The story showed that it’s easy to judge someone’s choices, but you never really know the full story.
Overall, this was a beautiful story about redemption and the special bond between mothers and daughters. It wasn’t my favorite of Hannah’s novels, but she never fails to impart wisdom on you through her touching stories.
Summer Island tells the story of Nora and her daughter Ruby who are on the outs. Nora left her husband and teenage daughters and is now a famous talk show host who gives others advice. Ruby is a struggling comedian who resents her mother.
When Nora gets caught in a public scandal, Ruby has the chance to write a tell-all about her mother that will launch her career. Ruby and Nora spend time together at their family summer home. As they revisit old memories, Ruby starts to understand her mother’s choices. The two woman reconnect and heal their relationship as they learn about each other. Ruby works to let go of her anger, and she realizes that it is holding her back from being happy.
The novel had some good messages about family, love, and forgiveness. However, the storyline wasn’t as captivating as I’d hoped, and it dragged on in places. The author’s writing is often descriptive, but for me this one had a bit too much description of the setting. The characters were developed well, each having grown through their challenges. The story showed that it’s easy to judge someone’s choices, but you never really know the full story.
Overall, this was a beautiful story about redemption and the special bond between mothers and daughters. It wasn’t my favorite of Hannah’s novels, but she never fails to impart wisdom on you through her touching stories.
July 19, 2023
Starts off slow and is pretty slow moving throughout the entire book, but overall a great story about a mother/daughter relationship and a family full of secrets that all come to light. Throw in some romance and we have a solid 4 star book. Not my favorite Kristin Hannah, but still good!
November 13, 2018
This book was a huge let down for me. The characters were miserable people and I couldn't feel an ounce of love for them and believe me I tried! The story was predictable, full of cliches and cheesy like a badly written soap opera. The author threw in a romance in there towards the end that she hardly bothered to develop well. This was one of Kristin Hannah's earlier books, thus it explains the vast chasm between this one and the Great Alone, a 5 star book I read and loved last year.
November 6, 2016
Nora Bridge finds her orderly world turned upside down overnight. She's a famous syndicated radio talk show host, dispensing advice about family and relationship. What the public didn't know was how far away her life was from what she preached. When that was inevitably leaked, Nora returns to Summer Island where she has to come to terms with the world she walked away from a decade before.
I liked the story, even though it was fairly predictable. It tackled some strong themes, particularly the mother-daughter dynamics and the imprint those relationships leave from one generation to the next. Another was the carnage created by divorce, specifically when the children are left in the dark about why the relationship failed and that silence allows them to choose sides.
I also liked the contrast between the Bridge family and the wealthy Sloans who vacationed on the island each summer and formed a connection. The two sons, though their parents' marriage was still intact, suffered because of it and neglect.
In summary, it was an interesting story with thought provoking themes, even though I could have scripted the ending myself. The narrator gave a good but unremarkable performance as I couldn't hear much in the way of character distinctions. I've heard many positives about the author and am interested in exploring more of her work. 3.5 stars
I liked the story, even though it was fairly predictable. It tackled some strong themes, particularly the mother-daughter dynamics and the imprint those relationships leave from one generation to the next. Another was the carnage created by divorce, specifically when the children are left in the dark about why the relationship failed and that silence allows them to choose sides.
I also liked the contrast between the Bridge family and the wealthy Sloans who vacationed on the island each summer and formed a connection. The two sons, though their parents' marriage was still intact, suffered because of it and neglect.
In summary, it was an interesting story with thought provoking themes, even though I could have scripted the ending myself. The narrator gave a good but unremarkable performance as I couldn't hear much in the way of character distinctions. I've heard many positives about the author and am interested in exploring more of her work. 3.5 stars
October 22, 2017
Nora Bridge is a "Delihah"- ish radio personality with her own advice column in the local newspaper. Nora brilliantly responds to her fans with candid advice and helps them all through their difficult questions. Nora's life is anything but perfect- she has no relationship with her two estranged daughters (both of which are falling apart in their own ways). Ruby Bridge is a stand up comedian dreaming of her own sitcom when she's offered a chance to write a tell all book about her mother (who she hates). She eagerly cashes in the check and begins to write...
Nora falls prey to a blackmailer who exposes her to her loyal readers and becomes a huge scandal- can she get through this?
The stage is set for another great book by Kristin Hannah and I couldn't turn the pages fast enough. Great life lessons to take away from the story- family secrets that are exposed and of course- a good romance to root for. For me, while this was readable, it also didn't dip too far below the surface and I had issues with the actual scandal that was presented. In my opinion, I just don't think this would've spiraled as far as it did , maybe it's the cynical side of me coming out or maybe our society takes much more to actually create a negative viewpoint. This book was a good break from some of the other tougher books out there.
Nora falls prey to a blackmailer who exposes her to her loyal readers and becomes a huge scandal- can she get through this?
The stage is set for another great book by Kristin Hannah and I couldn't turn the pages fast enough. Great life lessons to take away from the story- family secrets that are exposed and of course- a good romance to root for. For me, while this was readable, it also didn't dip too far below the surface and I had issues with the actual scandal that was presented. In my opinion, I just don't think this would've spiraled as far as it did , maybe it's the cynical side of me coming out or maybe our society takes much more to actually create a negative viewpoint. This book was a good break from some of the other tougher books out there.
December 1, 2016
Hannah always creates moving books and I love that her novels are set in the Northwest. Entertaining and satisfying, Summer Island is a compelling story about mothers and daughters. This novel like her others has an element of sadness and dissension but makes you enjoy the ending and root for the characters. I agree that parts are predictable, but it didn't lessen the enjoyment. I really like this author (I've read 11 of her books) and she does family drama very well.
August 14, 2023
Summer Island by Kristin Hannah. A lovely story about selfishness, money, fame and forgiveness.
June 4, 2025
second book of the summer down! i’m actually surprised at how my opinions have changed about this book. what started out as a 3.5 star read quickly became a 4 star. now i am the type of person to automatically rate a book higher if it makes me cry. but honestly? i think that’s completely fair. only good authors are able to elicit such emotion. i LOVE Kristin Hannah’s writing style. and for this to be one of her earlier books? that means her newer ones are even better!! i’m definitely going to read some more of her backlist this summer.
this story was so emotional and well-done. each character had their own flaws and inner-conflicts, and we got to see the resolution of each. yes, i’m aware i will probably forget this tomorrow, but i am sick of judging books that way.
there were so many different themes explored and Kristin Hannah tied everything up so nicely at the end. the main theme was mother/daughter relationships—however, this book also explored sexuality, first love, marriage conflicts, and overall happiness in life. a particular message i’ve noticed a lot in books is you determine your own fate/happiness. whether you’re like Ruby, who jumps to conclusions a bit too quickly and gets caught up in their own selfishness. or if you’re like Caroline, and you’re just afraid of showing emotion, so you stuff it all down and plaster on a fake smile. each of these sisters had valid reasons for acting in such ways, but at some point it gets exhausting. Ruby learned to be brave and open her heart little by little as Nora opened up to her. and Caroline eventually caved—unable to hold her troubles to herself when her family was there to listen. i felt all of their emotions as i was reading and sympathized with every character. i also loved the long conversations and the fact that the author took her time writing them. nothing about this felt rushed.
overall, i would recommend this! i am not able to write a longer review because it’s currently 12 in the morning, but i really enjoyed this book. :))
”As mothers and daughters, we are connected with one another. My mother is in the bones of my spine, keeping me straight and true. She is in my blood, making sure it runs rich and strong. She is in the beating of my heart.”
𓂃 ོ☼𓂃
this story was so emotional and well-done. each character had their own flaws and inner-conflicts, and we got to see the resolution of each. yes, i’m aware i will probably forget this tomorrow, but i am sick of judging books that way.
there were so many different themes explored and Kristin Hannah tied everything up so nicely at the end. the main theme was mother/daughter relationships—however, this book also explored sexuality, first love, marriage conflicts, and overall happiness in life. a particular message i’ve noticed a lot in books is you determine your own fate/happiness. whether you’re like Ruby, who jumps to conclusions a bit too quickly and gets caught up in their own selfishness. or if you’re like Caroline, and you’re just afraid of showing emotion, so you stuff it all down and plaster on a fake smile. each of these sisters had valid reasons for acting in such ways, but at some point it gets exhausting. Ruby learned to be brave and open her heart little by little as Nora opened up to her. and Caroline eventually caved—unable to hold her troubles to herself when her family was there to listen. i felt all of their emotions as i was reading and sympathized with every character. i also loved the long conversations and the fact that the author took her time writing them. nothing about this felt rushed.
overall, i would recommend this! i am not able to write a longer review because it’s currently 12 in the morning, but i really enjoyed this book. :))
”As mothers and daughters, we are connected with one another. My mother is in the bones of my spine, keeping me straight and true. She is in my blood, making sure it runs rich and strong. She is in the beating of my heart.”
𓂃 ོ☼𓂃
February 10, 2024
Summer Island is not exactly a winner. I am a huge an of Miss Hannah with all her books that I read. Sadly not for Summer Island.
I was rooting for the story to get better. But it turned out to be boring and repeatative.
The idea of mother and daughter story os promising though.
3 stars
I was rooting for the story to get better. But it turned out to be boring and repeatative.
The idea of mother and daughter story os promising though.
3 stars
September 24, 2022
Summer Island by Kristin Hannah
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I absolutely love reading “Summer Island”. An extraordinary story, emotional, heartwarming and as always Kristin Hannah is one of my favourite authors.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I absolutely love reading “Summer Island”. An extraordinary story, emotional, heartwarming and as always Kristin Hannah is one of my favourite authors.
June 18, 2024
The answer to that question came easily. Her mother had once had to make a choice like this. She could have chosen her husband and her daughters. . . or her career. Without a backward glance, Nora Bridge had chosen herself. (PG 51)
It was very Hallmark-y, so predictable it became boring…
Adult daughters. One has her life together, the other daughter is immature and hates everybody and everything, has mommy issues. Mother abandons her family, gets rich and famous and tries to reconnect with her daughters. Scandal, accident, love interest for angry daughter, an island. You can figure out the outcome with these key words. NOT A SPOILER!
Author is a hit or miss- this was her miss, for myself.
It was very Hallmark-y, so predictable it became boring…
Adult daughters. One has her life together, the other daughter is immature and hates everybody and everything, has mommy issues. Mother abandons her family, gets rich and famous and tries to reconnect with her daughters. Scandal, accident, love interest for angry daughter, an island. You can figure out the outcome with these key words. NOT A SPOILER!
Author is a hit or miss- this was her miss, for myself.
July 23, 2022
3.5 stars rounded up to 4 for goodreads. this was a fun backlist KH to read, but when you’ve read 10+ of her books and you’re comparing everything to THE NIGHTINGALE, THE GREAT ALONE, NIGHT ROAD, WINTER GARDEN, etc., it’s tough to beat ;)
this was a good read—covered a LOT of heavy topics but per usual, written beautifully. this was a very heavy mother-daughter story and i absolutely loved all of the wisdom from the female MC, Nora. the themes of family, forgiveness and love were done so well. and the ending 🥹🥹🥹
this was also on the smaller end size wise of her books so it was a rather quick read in camparison!
this was a good read—covered a LOT of heavy topics but per usual, written beautifully. this was a very heavy mother-daughter story and i absolutely loved all of the wisdom from the female MC, Nora. the themes of family, forgiveness and love were done so well. and the ending 🥹🥹🥹
this was also on the smaller end size wise of her books so it was a rather quick read in camparison!
June 28, 2022
4.5 stars and doing what i do best: sobbing in public
April 6, 2025
Get your tissues
Rounding up to five. Started out like any Kristin Hannah book - a nice set up for a big struggle. Well, this one had a few that jerked me open. Surprisingly, it had less to do with Nora and Ruby and more to do with Eric and Dean (so grateful LGBTQ people have more rights now and that dreaming for family is so much more attainable in today’s world - at least more so than even in 2006 even the book was published).
All the relationships and conflicts ran parallel with parts of my own life (minus the fame). I think this is what’s so brilliant about Kristin Hannah. Somehow, she knows me so well, though she wouldn’t know me from boo. By the end, I was a puddle of mess, but I think that had more to do with all the memories of my mother’s life of valor and her undignified loss to cancer.
The only thing I thought was unrealistic was that her house was already set up to accommodate someone getting around a kitchen in a wheelchair. From what I know, almost everyone living in a wheelchair has had to redo large portions of their house, especially the kitchen. But heck, I suppose that’s why it’s called creative license.
Update: read this book during Biden/Harris. Now that we have Pinky and the Brain in office, I am worried about our rights. I donate to the ACLU, Planned Parenthood, NAACP, and HRC. Urge anyone who needs these orgs to fight on your behalf to do the same.
Rounding up to five. Started out like any Kristin Hannah book - a nice set up for a big struggle. Well, this one had a few that jerked me open. Surprisingly, it had less to do with Nora and Ruby and more to do with Eric and Dean (so grateful LGBTQ people have more rights now and that dreaming for family is so much more attainable in today’s world - at least more so than even in 2006 even the book was published).
All the relationships and conflicts ran parallel with parts of my own life (minus the fame). I think this is what’s so brilliant about Kristin Hannah. Somehow, she knows me so well, though she wouldn’t know me from boo. By the end, I was a puddle of mess, but I think that had more to do with all the memories of my mother’s life of valor and her undignified loss to cancer.
The only thing I thought was unrealistic was that her house was already set up to accommodate someone getting around a kitchen in a wheelchair. From what I know, almost everyone living in a wheelchair has had to redo large portions of their house, especially the kitchen. But heck, I suppose that’s why it’s called creative license.
Update: read this book during Biden/Harris. Now that we have Pinky and the Brain in office, I am worried about our rights. I donate to the ACLU, Planned Parenthood, NAACP, and HRC. Urge anyone who needs these orgs to fight on your behalf to do the same.
August 11, 2013
I can't figure out why this author is so popular. I thought the story line was cheesy and predictable, and the prose uninspired. Wow, I seldom write negative reviews , so you KNOW this book disappointed me!
August 21, 2021
I had to double check this was Kristin Hannah as I usually love her books. This book was my least favorite of hers. The character development was all over the place- I wasn’t rooting for anyone. I can stomach a little bit of cheesy but this book was just plain unrealistic mush.
May 11, 2023
Something I have found to be consistently true for me: I completely love KH's newer books and her older works are often just okay. That pattern continues for me with "Summer Island."
I love the rich, sensory-based writing. Kristin Hannah has always been able to paint beautiful pictures of landscapes and nature, delicious meals, gorgeous homes, and captures the state of Washington in vibrant, enjoyable detail. The descriptions of the island and all of the vividly nostalgic memories that took place there stole the show for me. It kept me turning the pages and allowed my imagination to stay fully engaged.
The character of Eric was also, by far, my favorite. He was (ironically) the one character who didn't feel sorry for himself for the entire 400 pages. He was charming, funny, and deserved better. He was the only character who wasn't begging me to feel bad for him and who I actually empathized with the most of everyone.
The other characters were harder to root for. They're a broken family wallowing in the fact that they have never had a real conversation. And when they do speak about real things, it feels very scripted and stiff. At first I was really sucked into the drama this book provided, but it eventually became melodramatic, which is less exciting. Everybody seemed to be competing for who could throw the best pity party for themselves, and it did get a little tired by the end of the book.
I also found that some of the messaging of this book went a bit too far for me, particularly surrounding marriage. Alcohol-related verbal abuse and routine unfaithfulness were chalked up to being "bad times" and that love can be "a choice to weather the storm." There is a lot of trauma that gets spoken about rather flippantly and I felt like the takeaway was that women are always responsible for fixing everything. (I could tell this book was written in 2001.)
I certainly didn't hate this book, but I also didn't totally love it. It will fall squarely in the aforementioned "okay" category at 3 stars, but it will definitely not stop me from reading other KH works either.
I love the rich, sensory-based writing. Kristin Hannah has always been able to paint beautiful pictures of landscapes and nature, delicious meals, gorgeous homes, and captures the state of Washington in vibrant, enjoyable detail. The descriptions of the island and all of the vividly nostalgic memories that took place there stole the show for me. It kept me turning the pages and allowed my imagination to stay fully engaged.
The character of Eric was also, by far, my favorite. He was (ironically) the one character who didn't feel sorry for himself for the entire 400 pages. He was charming, funny, and deserved better. He was the only character who wasn't begging me to feel bad for him and who I actually empathized with the most of everyone.
The other characters were harder to root for. They're a broken family wallowing in the fact that they have never had a real conversation. And when they do speak about real things, it feels very scripted and stiff. At first I was really sucked into the drama this book provided, but it eventually became melodramatic, which is less exciting. Everybody seemed to be competing for who could throw the best pity party for themselves, and it did get a little tired by the end of the book.
I also found that some of the messaging of this book went a bit too far for me, particularly surrounding marriage. Alcohol-related verbal abuse and routine unfaithfulness were chalked up to being "bad times" and that love can be "a choice to weather the storm." There is a lot of trauma that gets spoken about rather flippantly and I felt like the takeaway was that women are always responsible for fixing everything. (I could tell this book was written in 2001.)
I certainly didn't hate this book, but I also didn't totally love it. It will fall squarely in the aforementioned "okay" category at 3 stars, but it will definitely not stop me from reading other KH works either.
June 26, 2009
Summer Island is a very touching story about the power of love through healing and forgiveness. It reminds us that each story has three sides and how sometimes we need to look past our own hurt and anger to renew an old relationship.
Summer's Island is sold on it being a book about Mother/Daughter relationships but it is so much more. It is truths hidden behind masks; love lost yet still yearned for. It is pain from being apart from family; and resentment for losing so much time.
Kristen Hannah once again delivers a powerful story that anyone can relate too. Summer's Island is both sad and uplifting having you laugh and cry throughout the whole story and reaching for the phone to call someone you lost contact with when it is over.
Summer's Island is sold on it being a book about Mother/Daughter relationships but it is so much more. It is truths hidden behind masks; love lost yet still yearned for. It is pain from being apart from family; and resentment for losing so much time.
Kristen Hannah once again delivers a powerful story that anyone can relate too. Summer's Island is both sad and uplifting having you laugh and cry throughout the whole story and reaching for the phone to call someone you lost contact with when it is over.
July 16, 2025
4.5 stars—this one started off slow and I was worried that it would be my first Kristen Hannah I didn’t enjoy, but then it picked up and I loved it
May 4, 2022
Personages:
-Nora:: een beroemde telefonische en schriftelijke raadgeefster bij relationele problemen.
-Caroline: oudste dochter van Nora, getrouwd met Jere, moeder van Jenny en Freddie, en stiefdochter Susan.
-Ruby: jongste dochter van Nora, comedienne op zoek naar werk, jeugdliefde van Dean Sloan.
-Dean: heel rijke jonge man, die het familiebedrijf leidt. Jeugdliefde van Ruby.
-Eric: broer van Dean, lijdend aan kanker.
-Rand: ex-echtgenoot van Nora, vader van Caroline en Ruby.
-Marilyn: tweede vrouw van Rand. Samen hebben ze een zoontje.
Het verhaal speelt zich af op Summer Island, waar de familie Bridge een vakantiehuis heeft. Nadat Nora verwikkeld geraakt in een schandaal, en dan ook nog een verkeersongeluk krijgt, besluit ze uit te wijken naar het vakantiehuis. Omdat ze nog wat hulp nodig heeft, stemt haar dochter Ruby erin toe haar gezelschap te houden. Dit is zeer verwonderlijk, want Ruby haat haar moeder.
Er is in het verleden zoveel gebeurd, dat de relatie tussen Nora en haar dochters totaal verziekt is. Caroline heeft gedurende al die jaren de schijn nog een beetje opgehouden, maar Ruby had totaal gebroken met haar moeder.
Kan de tijd die ze samen doorbrengen op Summer Island hen terug nader tot elkaar brengen? Of zal Ruby toch halsstarrig haar verborgen agenda blijven volgen?
Dit en nog veel meer komen we te weten in dit ontroerende boek, dat ik niet weg kon leggen.
-Nora:: een beroemde telefonische en schriftelijke raadgeefster bij relationele problemen.
-Caroline: oudste dochter van Nora, getrouwd met Jere, moeder van Jenny en Freddie, en stiefdochter Susan.
-Ruby: jongste dochter van Nora, comedienne op zoek naar werk, jeugdliefde van Dean Sloan.
-Dean: heel rijke jonge man, die het familiebedrijf leidt. Jeugdliefde van Ruby.
-Eric: broer van Dean, lijdend aan kanker.
-Rand: ex-echtgenoot van Nora, vader van Caroline en Ruby.
-Marilyn: tweede vrouw van Rand. Samen hebben ze een zoontje.
Het verhaal speelt zich af op Summer Island, waar de familie Bridge een vakantiehuis heeft. Nadat Nora verwikkeld geraakt in een schandaal, en dan ook nog een verkeersongeluk krijgt, besluit ze uit te wijken naar het vakantiehuis. Omdat ze nog wat hulp nodig heeft, stemt haar dochter Ruby erin toe haar gezelschap te houden. Dit is zeer verwonderlijk, want Ruby haat haar moeder.
Er is in het verleden zoveel gebeurd, dat de relatie tussen Nora en haar dochters totaal verziekt is. Caroline heeft gedurende al die jaren de schijn nog een beetje opgehouden, maar Ruby had totaal gebroken met haar moeder.
Kan de tijd die ze samen doorbrengen op Summer Island hen terug nader tot elkaar brengen? Of zal Ruby toch halsstarrig haar verborgen agenda blijven volgen?
Dit en nog veel meer komen we te weten in dit ontroerende boek, dat ik niet weg kon leggen.
August 4, 2021
Me ha encantado, aunque tiene algunos momentos duros. Esta autora nunca me defrauda, y me encanta como trata los lazos familiares. Nos muestra, que hay decisiones que tomamos en la vida, que nos dejan consecuencias fatales. Momentos de amor, odio, rencor, secretos...pero donde todo termina con un gran perdón.
9/10
9/10
September 17, 2016
"Summer Island' deals with a young woman Ruby who is estranged from her famous mother (Nora) and barely talks to her older sister and father who is long remarried with a new child. Readers are slowly walked through these two women's histories and we find out what Nora did to have her estranged from Ruby and partially estranged from her other daughter as well.
I liked the character of Ruby. She was feisty, but passionate. Also was totally in the wrong several times so I did feel for her. What was good though is that she didn't just stick her head in the sand when she slowly found out her mother's real history which led to her own. I do wonder though how she didn't see what was really going on? I think sometimes you see what you want, and this book takes a mirror up to those who believe that their childhoods were perfect and turns it on their head when it's revealed not so much.
I felt for Nora too though I wish we had gotten more involved with her storyline. I liked how the book focuses on Ruby with Nora coming along to give clarity to more and more. I wonder though why she didn't try sooner with Ruby though? Did she not just want to deal with rejection? Was it easier? Considering that Nora's job was an Agony Aunt of sorts it seems surreal she was advising other people on their lives when her life was really not this idealized thing. When Nora's past comes a calling, I think Hannah did a great job showing the repercussions of what would happen.
One reason why I gave this only four stars though, is that we don't spend much time with Ruby's sister (Caro) who was dealing with some very real things. I didn't like how her storyline ended up, since it felt tacked on (give everyone a happy ending). It would have worked for me if there was a sequel dealing with Caro and what was going on in her marriage and how she felt overwhelmed as a mother.
The other person this book focuses on is Ruby's old boyfriend Dean and his brother who is dying of cancer. I really wish that Dean had been cut out of the book. He added nothing to the story and I find it hard to believe based on what we see of him initially, that he was sitting around pining for his teenage girlfriend. He and Ruby really didn't have any chemistry, and I was more focused on the storyline focusing on Ruby and her mother, and then Ruby and her sister then with him.
The writing was really great and the book flowed wonderfully. We get to see the roller coaster of Ruby and Nora's relationship and how flawed things were and why neither one of them really wanted to revisit the past.
The setting of Summer Island in the San Juans didn't really get used that well. We had people go sailing and go to the beach once in while, but nothing else really. I would have liked the beach aspect or the small island life with people that both characters would have known get used a lot more.
I liked the character of Ruby. She was feisty, but passionate. Also was totally in the wrong several times so I did feel for her. What was good though is that she didn't just stick her head in the sand when she slowly found out her mother's real history which led to her own. I do wonder though how she didn't see what was really going on? I think sometimes you see what you want, and this book takes a mirror up to those who believe that their childhoods were perfect and turns it on their head when it's revealed not so much.
I felt for Nora too though I wish we had gotten more involved with her storyline. I liked how the book focuses on Ruby with Nora coming along to give clarity to more and more. I wonder though why she didn't try sooner with Ruby though? Did she not just want to deal with rejection? Was it easier? Considering that Nora's job was an Agony Aunt of sorts it seems surreal she was advising other people on their lives when her life was really not this idealized thing. When Nora's past comes a calling, I think Hannah did a great job showing the repercussions of what would happen.
One reason why I gave this only four stars though, is that we don't spend much time with Ruby's sister (Caro) who was dealing with some very real things. I didn't like how her storyline ended up, since it felt tacked on (give everyone a happy ending). It would have worked for me if there was a sequel dealing with Caro and what was going on in her marriage and how she felt overwhelmed as a mother.
The other person this book focuses on is Ruby's old boyfriend Dean and his brother who is dying of cancer. I really wish that Dean had been cut out of the book. He added nothing to the story and I find it hard to believe based on what we see of him initially, that he was sitting around pining for his teenage girlfriend. He and Ruby really didn't have any chemistry, and I was more focused on the storyline focusing on Ruby and her mother, and then Ruby and her sister then with him.
The writing was really great and the book flowed wonderfully. We get to see the roller coaster of Ruby and Nora's relationship and how flawed things were and why neither one of them really wanted to revisit the past.
The setting of Summer Island in the San Juans didn't really get used that well. We had people go sailing and go to the beach once in while, but nothing else really. I would have liked the beach aspect or the small island life with people that both characters would have known get used a lot more.
September 25, 2016
I enjoyed listening to this story, which is told from the alternating points of view of successful radio host Nora, a woman who preaches to the nation about the importance of family, among other things, and (ironically enough) her estranged daughter, the angry aspiring comedian, Ruby.
When pornographic pictures from Nora’s past emerge, proving that she had an affair while married, her image of being a family values icon are shattered, and her career is in tatters.
Ruby’s career has never gotten started, but the downfall of her mother leads to opportunities for her. Ruby has been angry with her mother since she abandoned Ruby and her sister Caroline when they were young.
Nora wants to hide out from the media and the world on their house on Summer Island, but a car accident means that she needs help. Ruby comes to help her mother—and gather material for the tell-all article she’s been given big bucks to write.
While the ending is not some big twist, there is romance and nostalgia that make this an enjoyable read. More important, this book is about the complex bonds of family, specifically mother/daughter relationships.
For more of my reviews, please see: http://theresaalan.net/blog/
When pornographic pictures from Nora’s past emerge, proving that she had an affair while married, her image of being a family values icon are shattered, and her career is in tatters.
Ruby’s career has never gotten started, but the downfall of her mother leads to opportunities for her. Ruby has been angry with her mother since she abandoned Ruby and her sister Caroline when they were young.
Nora wants to hide out from the media and the world on their house on Summer Island, but a car accident means that she needs help. Ruby comes to help her mother—and gather material for the tell-all article she’s been given big bucks to write.
While the ending is not some big twist, there is romance and nostalgia that make this an enjoyable read. More important, this book is about the complex bonds of family, specifically mother/daughter relationships.
For more of my reviews, please see: http://theresaalan.net/blog/
March 10, 2022
Opowieść o rodzinie, o więzach i sercach, które nawet zranione do głębi potrafią odnaleźć się w największej ciemności. Opowieść o powrotach i przebaczeniu.
Kristin Hannah przypomniała, że rodzina – także ta wybrana, nie tylko rodzona – może stać się niezgłębionym źródłem siły w chwili największego kryzysu. Może okazać wsparciem i jedyną bezpieczną przystanią, gdy cały świat jest przeciwko nam. Warto pamiętać jednak, że jej książki pisane są ku pokrzepieniu serc, by pocieszyć i podnieść na duchu. Opierają się na idealistycznych konceptach, a proponowane rozwiązania często sprawdzają się jedynie fabularnie, jedynie w uproszczonym świecie fikcji. Obudowują jednak czytelników bezpiecznym kokonem pewności, że nawet, gdy życie wali się w posadach, to jest nadzieja, to jest jakaś ścieżka, droga, która może nie będzie łatwa, ale pozwoli znów odbić się od dna. Jakiejkolwiek nie sięgałoby głębiny. To budujące poczucie, które sprawia, że po książki Hannah sięga się z prawdziwą przyjemnością.
Kristin Hannah przypomniała, że rodzina – także ta wybrana, nie tylko rodzona – może stać się niezgłębionym źródłem siły w chwili największego kryzysu. Może okazać wsparciem i jedyną bezpieczną przystanią, gdy cały świat jest przeciwko nam. Warto pamiętać jednak, że jej książki pisane są ku pokrzepieniu serc, by pocieszyć i podnieść na duchu. Opierają się na idealistycznych konceptach, a proponowane rozwiązania często sprawdzają się jedynie fabularnie, jedynie w uproszczonym świecie fikcji. Obudowują jednak czytelników bezpiecznym kokonem pewności, że nawet, gdy życie wali się w posadach, to jest nadzieja, to jest jakaś ścieżka, droga, która może nie będzie łatwa, ale pozwoli znów odbić się od dna. Jakiejkolwiek nie sięgałoby głębiny. To budujące poczucie, które sprawia, że po książki Hannah sięga się z prawdziwą przyjemnością.
September 9, 2017
This book was about the hurt that difficult decisions can make in a marriage and family and how secrets only compound the damage. This book followed Ruby, the daughter of Nora, a famous radio personality who left her family 11 years earlier. Nora leaving her family really damaged her kids and this book explores the problems that caused for Ruby in her interpersonal relations with everyone she met afterwards. Ruby and Nora were forced back together after Nora was in an accident and they ended up reconciling.
May 31, 2023
Czytanie kolejnej już książki tej autorki uświadamia mnie, że są one powtarzalne i niby wzruszające w dokładnie tym samym schemacie.
June 29, 2012
I didn't have very high expectations for this book. I picked it up in a whim for $2, and it sat on my shelf for a good 4 months. What a wasted time! This book was wonderful. Complex and intellectually stimulating. I felt for Nora and was drawn to her despite her flaws. Ruby and Caro were definitely on opposite ends of the spectrum, but it worked so well. As a daughter and a sister, I could easily relate to pieces of them. You look at their family, their story, and see the good and the bad of your own. You remember, if only for the moments you are reading, how precious family is and how quickly time passes, and you drift apart. It doesn't matter the intentions or the reasons, this book makes you want to call your loved ones just to take advantage of the moments you do have. Family is about fighting, forgiving, accepting, and loving; not only one another but yourself. I loved that Nora, despite her flaws, could see through the bad and help those in the wrong direction. I didn't feel she was a hypocrite, just lost on her journey to find herself, and make peace with her past.
My favorite character was Eric. I loved his honesty and outlook on life. His character was deeply developed even though we didnt/couldn't interact with him the way we could the other characters. I wept for him. It's no surprise, we prepare for it all along, but you never think you will be so enveloped in a character until the final moments hit you. I hated his parents and their selfishness, but realize the gift that his suffering gave to Nora and Ruby.
I would 100% recommend this novel to friends. This is definitely a keeper! I look forward to reading more by the author, and can't believe it's taken me so long to discover her.
My favorite character was Eric. I loved his honesty and outlook on life. His character was deeply developed even though we didnt/couldn't interact with him the way we could the other characters. I wept for him. It's no surprise, we prepare for it all along, but you never think you will be so enveloped in a character until the final moments hit you. I hated his parents and their selfishness, but realize the gift that his suffering gave to Nora and Ruby.
I would 100% recommend this novel to friends. This is definitely a keeper! I look forward to reading more by the author, and can't believe it's taken me so long to discover her.
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