Winter Street

by Elin Hilderbrand

Overview

A family Christmas gathering at Kelley Quinn's Nantucket inn is thrown into turmoil by his four adult children's personal dramas and the discovery of his second wife's infidelity.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780316376112
Publisher:	Little, Brown and Company
Publication date:	10/14/2014
Series:	Winter Street Series , #1
Pages:	256
Product dimensions:	5.80(w) x 8.20(h) x 1.10(d)

About the Author

Elin Hilderbrand made a paper angel ornament in third grade that is still in her family's custody. She celebrates the holidays by making batches of homemade mustard and chive pine nut dip and gifting them to her lucky friends. Her favorite carol is "O Holy Night." Winter Street is her fourteenth novel.

Editorial Reviews

Praise for BEAUTIFUL DAY:

"A perfect summer read."

Ladies' Home Journal

2014-08-14
Hilderbrand leaves the beach for this Christmas novel—though it's still set on her beloved Nantucket. The whole island is looking forward to the annual Winter Street Inn Christmas party, except for the inn's owner, Kelley Quinn, who's just discovered the hired Santa kissing his wife, Mitzi. Mitzi and Santa inform Kelley of their 13-year affair and Mitzi's imminent departure from married life. Kelley, retreating to bed with smokes and booze, blasts Mitzi on Facebook and lists the inn for sale, its extravagant restoration having eaten through his once-sizable savings. Thankfully, he has grown children to help, though they have problems, too. Eldest son Patrick lives in Boston with his wife and kids, but the feds will soon be at the door to charge him with insider trading. Bartender Kevin, whose life was derailed by a bad woman, is now on track: He's in love with Isabelle, the Winter Street Inn's beautiful French manager. If only he can muster the courage to pop the question. And finally there's Ava, a schoolteacher with the perfect boyfriend, except that he's really not that into her. But Assistant Principal Scott is. Perhaps the only one who can tie up all these loose ends is Margaret Quinn, Kelley's first wife and mother to the three kids, who sacrificed her family life in order to become the most famous journalist in America but whose arrival on Nantucket just may save the day. Increasingly, best-selling authors are producing Christmas novels, family dramas in which the Christmas Spirit prevails. They often seem like rushed marketing ploys, though occasionally they hold up to the author's own standards. Hilderbrand's falls somewhere in between; her skill at creating character is present, but the plot feels constrained and a little predictable. A quick read to get you in the holiday mood, but not as strong as Hilderbrand's best.

Kirkus Reviews

Praise for BEAUTIFUL DAY:

"A page-turner....She's the queen of the beach read."—Coastal Living

"Hilderbrand's surprisingly original take on the wedding disaster novel...A wedding readers won't be able to resist crashing."—Kirkus Reviews

"Hilderbrand's latest is the perfect beach read....[her] straightforward style pulls the reader into the minds of her characters, and all the secrets and sorrows that create the universal messiness of major family events."—Publishers Weekly

PRAISE FOR SUMMERLAND:

"Summerland is as readable as any beach book, but with a much bigger heart."—Boston Globe

"The Queen of the Summer Novel...Hilderbrand blends real-life issues - depression, teen alcoholism, bullying - with her signature soapy twists and illicit romances."—Joanna Powell, People

"Hilderbrand has once again written an engaging story wonderfully illustrating the often complex lives of young people struggling toward adulthood."—Booklist

"A sensitive glimpse into the lives of damaged people groping their way toward healing."—Kirkus Reviews

From the Publisher

This charming holiday novel—hilarious and slightly gut-wrenching at the same time—is a treat that can be enjoyed year round—even during the hottest summer months. Readers will connect with at least one of the Quinn family members and appreciate the happy reunion of this very dysfunctional, yet accepting family.”

RT Book Reviews (4½ stars)

Summerland is as readable as any beach book, but with a much bigger heart.

Boston Globe

Hilderbrand has once again written an engaging story wonderfully illustrating the often complex lives of young people struggling toward adulthood.

Booklist

Open this diverting tale of family dysfunction and you’ll find a holiday package filled with humor, romance and realism.”

USA Today

A page-turner....She's the queen of the beach read.

Coastal Living

The Queen of the Summer Novel...Hilderbrand blends real-life issues - depression, teen alcoholism, bullying - with her signature soapy twists and illicit romances.

People Joanna Powell

"Hilderbrand has once again written an engaging story wonderfully illustrating the often complex lives of young people struggling toward adulthood."

Booklist

"The Queen of the Summer Novel...Hilderbrand blends real-life issues - depression, teen alcoholism, bullying - with her signature soapy twists and illicit romances."

Joanna Powell