A Summer Affair

not my favorite

This book doesn't have the breeziness of the previous novels, and I found the main character, Claire, unlikeable. She has it all-lives in a beautiful place, has a husband, four small kids, even a live-in au pair, and is a respected glass artist. She has an affair with a billionaire, give me a break, while also serving as chairperson for a summer gala which takes up so much of her time that her husband resents it. I skipped a large part of the book because I wasn't interested in the progress of the affair, and found that I didn't miss anything. The ending was unsatisfying, and I think Hilderbrand is asking too much of the reader to pity Claire and admire her. This is a ponderous beach book that has everything but the kitchen sink thrown in, and I was more interested in Siobhan, the less-fortunate sister-in-law, who had problems I could better relate to. I prefer it when Hilderbrand writes about realistic people who work to get what they want in life.

2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

delightful narration gives this plot a boost

Take A Summer Affair to the beach and take it with a grain of salt. It's a tad difficult to believe how or why an intelligent, caring woman who has it all - good husband, four fine children, a career as an acclaimed artist - would risk throwing it all away for a summer spin in the sand? However, credulity can be easy to suspend when a narrative is filled with pretty people, dreamy scenes, and pulsing passion. So, forget the how's and why's if you've a mind to, and join the fray. Fray is precisely what it turns out to be when Claire Danner Crispin agrees to chair the Nantucket's Children summer Gala. Not only will she serve as chair but she'll also create an original art piece - a gorgeous glass chandelier. It's not that Claire doesn't already have her plate piled high with house, husband, and kids, as most everyone can see save for Claire. But we're told she suffers from an inability to say no or even not now. Billionaire Lockhart Dixon directs Nantucket's Children (why are these fellows always millionaires, billionaires or zillionaires?) Whatever the case he and Claire are soon having an affair. Lock's wife was involved in a tragic auto accident which left her mentally impaired. Problems? What else? Claire has husband problems, lover problems , best friend problems, and problems with her New York co-chair. How did a rational woman ever get herself into such a mess? One cannot help but wonder. The one thing this listener didn't wonder about is the reading by Tony Award nominee Isabel Keating. Her delightful performance makes a lighter than a cumulus cloud plot seem almost plausible. Once again star quality narration gives a boost to an unremarkable story.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

A Good Escape

I almost stopped reading after the first few chapters when I realized where the main character was headed. But by the 4th or 5th chapter I was sucked in like a high-powered vacuum and couldn't stop reading! More than anything, I enjoy Elin's writing style. She lead me through the ups and downs of the main character, even though I couldn't relate to her situation.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Love it!

A must read for womenin their 40s and 50s. So much my life!

loved it!

not sure why I didn't give it 5 Stars, but I loved it.

highly recommended for 50 and up.

I just ordered some of her other books...she is a good writer....interesting. Keeps your attention.....

Recommended

This was a lovely summer read. I enjoyed it very much.

My least favorite

I have read all of Elin Hilderbrand's books that are available on the nook. This was my least favorite, really I didn't like it, but I hate to say that because I have enjoyed all of her other books and found them to be page turners. Some of those were books where I strongly wished I could've been a character in. Not this one. Boring characters, boring plot, bad ending.

Enjoyable

This was an enjoyable book!

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

UGGGGGH!!

I have really enjoyed 2 of this authors books, Barefoot and Castaways, but seriously do all of your books have people having affairs? Not that I need fluffy puppies and rainbows, but come on, there is more to write about than people hooking up, if I wanted this in my life I would still be going to the bars to see it in real life! When I got this I thought it could possibly mean just an "affair", not of the sexual nature, as i soon discovered, it was just that, a lady that has it all and gives it away for an affair to a gross, fat old guy. While her husband is described as having rocking abs and is proud of his body. Why would you give him and your 4 kids up for this? I skimmed further and it appears Claire sleeps with her ex boyfriend/rockstar too! Maybe not, as I just couldnt do it. Why waste time on a book that you from the get go are not feeling.

Great

I really enjoyed the story.

Couldn't put it down!

Such a good read. Loved the characters. Every time I put the book down I wanted to pick it back up and continue reading it. Elin Hilderbrand is an awesome author. I love her writing style.

This was one of the amazing reads by Hilderbrand.

Loved it!

Not all that good

I finished the book, that's about all I can say. Writing style was ok, basic idea of the story (more common than we think) I would imagine. I think the emotions they go through are all probably realistic, but it was A LOT OF REPETITION, no wonder it was 400 pages. Maybe it was that I was getting sick of the whole Lock/Claire relationship, but was anyone else secretly rooting for the rock star to win out, don't ask me why, but I liked him the best! I hate it when my books end up in the yard sale pile, but that is where this one is headed!

A Summer Affair - audio book

Very good book until the end - Ms. Keating was excellent in her reading.

I was disappoionted in the end...too many loose ends and I wanted more closure among the characters.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

An affair not to remember

This book wasn't 'bad,' but it really wasn't good at all either. To begin with, there was little that brought me into the characters. Even the main character, who on paper is a lot like me, was whiny and transparent. They were cliche-based, static characters with little to no redeeming qualities.
It was far too long for what it was. Don't get me wrong, I often enjoy long books, but I read it hoping it would end, knowing I was only a third or half way through. The main plots had an interesting premise, which is why I chose the book in the first place, but ended up becoming predictable. There were clearly some plot lines that were brought in after the fact, that didn't really make a difference in the grand scheme of things, and that only served to prolong the book. Had it been shorter, I probably wouldn't have grown to hate it as much.

A GOOD BOOK

A GOOD BOOK JUST TO RELAXE WITH.I LIKE THIS BOOK BECAUSE THE CHARACTERS CAN RELATE TO PEOPLE YOU KNOW OR DONT AND HEY ITS A FUN BOOK

Waste of Time

I'm a book reader that is disciplined to finish up to the last page even if the context is FULL of banality. As a supporter of loyal-monogamous-relationships, I wasn't a big fan of the authors mediocre writing style or story. DON'T get me wrong. I'm open minded, and yes this book gave me incite of what it's like to be a naive adult who got lost in the thrill of a "new" and forbidden relationship, but get real. In a small town? The book never allows Claire to redeem her unfaithfulness.

This is another book that supports the media-ized theory that life after marriage is dull and we should continue the cycle of throwing ourselves under the bus to the next available thing. This is a work of fiction I get that. But it's utter garbage. I didn't learn anything from this book. I don't what other critics are talking about: It wasn't romantic! If you think sneaking around to drink wine is romantic than I don't know what to tell you. The author didn't enlighten me, it just reaffirms my perspective on cheaters. If you are one of those summer readers? I suggest you find something else. Get an actual work of literature that makes you realize that yes people change, but we do make the best and find new things to love about life. If I could give this book a rating I would give it a 1. That's because I'm feeling nice.

good, not great but a good pastime

the book was good in general, fun and romantic but still had some substance, easy read too

Easy reading - great for summer

Pleasant book to read. Still enjoyed Barefoot much more. I do like the writing style and feel like I'm standing next the conversations and thoughts of its characters. Definitely a summer reading book or great for airplanes. Easy to put down but easy to pick up again. Barefoot was read in 2 plane rides to the west coast. Still reading A Summer Affair from a month ago.......think I'll take a break from Nantucket with my next book.