This is the first Erin Hilderbrand book I've read and I loved every minute. It's the kind of love story that everyone has both had and wish they'd had — a romance that's relatable as well as remarkable. The leading characters are nuanced and lovable, the story both heartbreaking and warming. Would recommend to fans of Beach Read or In Five Years.

Oh even though I knew, and this isn't a spoiler because you know when the novel starts, that Mallory will die from cancer, I still shed a tear at the end of this wonderful book. Mallory and Jake meet every Labor Day weekend on Nantucket where she lives for 28 years- they eat the same meals, listen to the same music, and watch the same movie- even though he's first involved with and then married to the redoubtable Ursula. They keep it secret from Ursula, Mallory's son Link, and, for a long time, her friend Leland and most importantly her brother Cooper. The characters jump off the page- Ursula's work ethic and quirks, Cooper's attraction to bad marriages, Jake's love for Mallory, Then there's Leland and Fif.i (I adored Fifi). Nantucket itself is another characters - all the restaurants are real places, as are the ponds and, of course, the ocean. I'd love to live in Mallory's cottage- renovated or not. I also liked the dollop of Baltimore lore- not much but people from Baltimore will recognize spots in Roland Park (but where did Mallory and Leland go to school?). Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. If you haven't read Hilderbrand, this is an excellent place to start. A great read for a hot pandemic summer (or any time).

The ARC of this book was provided by the publisher Hodder & Stoughton (UK) in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 stars

This was my very first book by Elin Hilderbrand and now I can totally see her appeal. With this one books she totally conquered my heart.
I was really surprised by her writing style and I found myself completely involved and swept away by the story here told.
I loved the characters and all their flaws, feelings, mistakes, achievements and passions. I also appreciated the fact that this novel wasn't just a love story, but it was about family, politics and friendship too.
I enjoyed 28 Summers so much and I really can't wait to discover Hilderbrand's other works!
If you're looking for a sweet and dreamy beach read, I think this will be right up your alley!

I loved this book. I was immediately immersed in the storyline as it starts when one of the main characters - Mallory gives her son Link instructions from her deathbed to contact a number on a slip of paper and he has no idea who is on the other end of the phone. He cannot believe it when Jake McCloud answers, husband of a front runner in the upcoming Presidential election. What then is told is a love story spanning decades set against the continuing separate lives lived by Mallory and Jake. They meet once a year for a weekend in Nantucket and they have no contact through the year with each other and for me this was captivating and at the same time desperately sad and the book touches on many themes, friendship, grief, acceptance, and love.
I love a book where the setting plays so much importance. I have instantly swept away to Nantucket and spent time googling photos on the internet because the descriptions were so beautiful. Although the book focuses on the lives of Mallory and Jake the setting is of prime importance. it brings the characters back together again “Same Time Next Year” and it sustains a comforting life for Mallory. The author's description of the cottage, the community, and the beaches and shores left me seduced and I felt a real sense of place.
I liked both the main characters, especially Mallory who finds herself living on Nantucket when she inherits a cottage from her aunt and she is in her early 20s she meets Jake who is her brother's college friend when he comes to stay with her brother one weekend. I thought she was a head-strong woman, she forged a new life for herself away from the busy city life, becoming a teacher and taking part in all the community had to offer whilst still looking for love. She was not happy to just settle in a relationship, in fact, her heart belonged to Jake but that did not stop her living her life as full as she could and I liked that about her. I did want more for her in her relationship with Jake, but I also wondered if they were together all the time would the relationship have lasted? I also liked Jake. He was in a relationship with a workaholic whose desire for ambition did not stop even when they had a child together. He was the character that left me with questions about his life choices, he had much more to lose than Mallory but he appeared to spend his year waiting for the weekend they could be together. The compromise of giving up his life for her was obviously too much. I did believe he loved his life and his wife and although there is deceit on his side there is also deceit on her side too so does that cancel it out? I am not sure.
However, the story is much more about their lives in the times between their weekend together. As the story moves from summer to summer the author gives brief news snippets about what was happening in the world that year. I thought this was a great way of moving through time.
The ending was for me very thought-provoking. Was their story over? Are their children going to continue the love story? What would happen that weekend every year? Is true love, true love if it fits with the two people? For me this book made me think about how over 28 summers two people can come together for the briefest of time, do the same things, and still find solace in their love for each other.
I gave this book 5 stars, I have already ordered the author’s Winter series in preparation for my Christmas themed binge reading. I loved this book, it is about doing as your heart desires and I found it very touching and compelling to read. A summer read for me that had me doing my best to avoid being distracted from the story. That is always a good sign in my eyes. My thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an ARC in return for an honest review.

28 Summers is the love story of Mallory and Jake. They spend 3 days together every year over Labor Day weekend for the past 28 years!
The setting for their meet is Nantucket and although I have never been, I could put myself there from the beautiful descriptions.
What bothered me the most is I simply couldn’t see why Jake and Mallory couldn’t make a go of it outside of Labor Day weekend. They are both adults and I believed they were in love so what was stopping them? Maybe Mallory was the one doing herself a disservice as she was the one who’s life appeared to be on hold whilst Jake was the commitment shy one? Because I wanted to yell at the two main characters constantly I didn’t warm to either of them so instead of rooting for them they frustrated me and that’s why the book gets 3 stars instead of 5.
Thank you to the Author, Publisher and NetGalley for gifting me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Another #bookstagrammademedoit read, but one I enjoyed. I’m completely new to Elin Hilderbrand but can see her appeal. An easy summer romance set on Nantucket. Although this one is quite epic, following Mallory and Jake as they meet up for three nights only, every Labor Day weekend, for 28 years.

What I loved was the feel of the island, I could see myself there, enjoying the beach, staying in Mallory’s cottage, living the quiet life. I loved the various characters, their flaws, their passions, their friendships, and their development over the decades.

What I wasn’t a fan of was that despite mostly getting lost in the story, every once in a while I had to stop and ask myself why the heck Mallory and Jake couldn’t just be together. There was no good reason other than a warped sense of commitment phobia (Mallory) and loyalty (Jake), neither of which were ever explained properly and left me wondering why two grown adults would deny themselves their one true love. I could also go on about the fact that basically nearly every character in this book cheats but there are no proper repercussions for anyone either.

Then again, I picked this book up expecting a bit of escapism, so I’m fully willing to suspend any disbelief and just roll with it, and, by doing so, I got to enjoy a sweet but sad love story and ended up with another new location for my travel bucket list.

I usually really enjoy Elin Hilderbrand’s books. I like her easy writing style and the way she brings Nantucket to life. I’ve never been there, but feel I know it so well through her novels.

Sadly, 28 Summers just didn’t live up to expectations. It’s a great premise and a beautiful setting, and I liked the structure, which prefaces each year with some of the events, people, movies, music, sayings, etc., that marked it. As well as an interesting journey down memory lane, this also serves to emphasize the length of Mallory and Jake’s relationship.

What I didn’t find convincing were the story and the characters. I know the narrative is based on a movie — the very movie that Mallory and Jake watch together every Labor Day weekend. But that movie was set in 1951, and times were very different then. You can understand why it might be considered quaint and romantic. The idea that a modern couple — a couple very much in love — cannot overcome minor obstacles to be together just doesn’t hold water. I simply couldn’t buy into the notion of this great romance.

And I’m sorry to say that I couldn’t warm to Mallory or Jake. Mallory is so weak and one dimensional. Why can’t she fight for her man? Why does she accept playing second fiddle to a woman he doesn’t even like? She avoids long-term relationships with other men, sacrifices her happiness, and for what? To spend just three days a year with a man who values secrecy so much, he can’t even send her flowers on her birthday. Mallory has nothing, Jake has it all, yet she feels only mild resentment. How does that even work? And Jake — well he just comes across as self-serving and greedy.

I wish I could offer a more positive critique, but the bottom line is: to properly enjoy a book, you need to like the characters, or at least find them convincing. In my case, it was a no on both counts, and this had a knock-on effect on the credibility of the story.

Loved loved loved this book and everything it brought from the story. There is love, laughter and tears in abundance in this amazing story!

Thank you for the opportunity to review this new novel!

Every year I read Elin Hildebrand's new novel and it's something I look forward to and that's why I was so excited when I was approved for reading this ARC. Unfortunately this was not a favorite for me, it's rather the opposite. First, I don't get why Jake didn't move to Nantucket when he was so in love with Mallory? Second, why didn't Mallory say anything? I don't get this plot AT ALL. Jake's an cheater and spineless, Mallory is in the same category. To me, it feels like they both have wasted their lifes and for what?

I hope her new novel next year will be better.

This was a beautiful and heartbreaking love story that kept me engaged at all times.. The characters were sympathetic and believable. Can’t recommend it enough!

I absolutely loved the concept of this book. Jake and Mallory fall in love one Labor Day weekend in Nantucket. But they live far apart, and Jake has a complicated on and off relationship that means him and Mallory cannot be together. But they make a promise to one another that they will spend every Labor Day weekend together no matter what. And they keep this promise for 28 summers. It was beautiful to see them fall in love but I felt that their story could have been portrayed more intimately. We read about their lives outside of Nantucket, and whilst this needed to be part of the narrative, I felt that there was something lacking when it came to their story. I longed for more detail of them together, their deep love for one another that could never be more than one amazing weekend every year. This story should have been deeply romantic and bitter sweet, but there was just something lacking that meant I didn't connect to their story as much I would have liked. For me, especially with the tragic ending to their story, the language needed to be much more heartfelt - words are so powerful and they just didn't portray the depth of Jake and Mallory's love for one another. Overall, this was an enjoyable read, it just needed a little more emotion for me.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley to review. Thank you for the opportunity.
This book is a journey with ups and does like the lives it describes. I felt like i was submerged into the characters lives which became real and vivid for me: a sure sign of a good book.
I was a bit apprehensive to read this book as it had a lot to live up too, being one of the most popular books I've seen this year. However, I was completely absorbed by this book and blown away. The book has many underlying layers, of which I believe more will become clear on further readings of the book. I'm not usually a fan of books on affairs but this book was so well written and expressive that I loved it and now consider it one of the best books I have read this year.
I really enjoyed the snippets at the start of each chapter, describing the current year. I found it a great and interesting way to set the scene and liked reading about some things that I had forgotten.
The book is set over 28 summer but the pace is good and the author gives a good depth of well selected information for each year, which adds to the book without becoming dull and overwhelming.
The imagery and writing was exquisite, particular of the scenery and the food. The dialogue sharp and well written and the characters well developed and their changes over the years, described in a sensitive and realistic way.
I loved reading about 'our girl' and 'our voy' and will definitely be returning to read more of this author.

This is my introduction to Elin Hilderbrand, an author that I am aware is loved by many and after reading this, an epic love story set mainly in Nantucket that just tugs on your heartstrings, I can understand why. It begins with Mallory Blessing, on her deathbed, asking her precious 19 year old son, Link, to call a phone number on a piece of paper she has kept in her desk drawer. Link has no idea who he is calling, but is so shocked when it is answered by Jake McCloud, the husband of the American presidential candidate, Ursula DeGournsey, that he ends the call. How could his mother possibly know Jake? Jake calls back and, on hearing the news that Mallory is dying, says he is coming.

Mallory and Jake have been seeing each other for 28 summers, meeting but once a year, over Labor weekend, replicating aspects of their first summer meeting in Nantucket in 1993 that become traditional, when Jake accompanied his best friend, Cooper, Mallory's brother, with friend Fray, coming to visit Mallory, at the beach cottage she had inherited from her Aunt Greta. They come to emulate the well known film, Same Time, Next Year, having separate lives, never contacting each other but for that once yearly meeting. The two of them know what they have is important, life changing and worth fighting for, as they commit to see each other once a year without fail, no matter what, throughout their lives, and indeed, despite the apparently insurmountable issues that conspire at times to ruin their plans, they manage to religiously keep their appointment. Starting in 1993, the narrative enacts their summers as the years go by, as they grow older, get married, have children, a love that costs Jake his best friend, and costs Mallory her longest friend from childhood, the more selfish and ambitious Leland Gladstone.

This is story of an epic emotive love, perhaps one that never loses its sheen and lustre through the humdrum and fractious every day lives of many marriages and relationships through time. Mallory and Jake know they love each other, even if it is a secret love, there is nothing that will stop them meeting, and, given the beginning of the novel, we know that we are in for a heartbreaking and tearful ending. Hilderbrand creates characters we come to care about, a love we believe in, the world shifts and changes, but their love remains, strong, trusted, never once in question, all playing out amidst the background of the most wonderful of locations, Nantucket, a perfect slice of paradise. Many thanks to Hodder and Stoughton for an ARC.

If you are looking for a good Summer Holiday read and you like romance, look no more! Now romantic fiction is not my bag but I knew what to expect when I came across this title. I wasn’t disappointed – far from it.

As the title suggests the action spans 28 summers. We meet Mallory and Jake on Labour Day weekend in Nantucket, and so begins their tradition of spending every Labour Day weekend together in Mallory’s home in Nantucket. Despite the fact that they are very much in love they do not contact each other at any other time; no texts, no phone calls, no letters, no meetings. Imagine the discipline that would take. Jake gets married and they have a child. Mallory takes lovers but nobody becomes permanent. Each time Jake considers leaving his wife something happens and he remains with her.

Each chapter is presented with a precis of ‘what is happening in …..each particular year. I loved this preface as it was the perfect vehicle to launch me back into my memories of that year and recognising events, people or music associated with it. Many references went unidentified as they related to some specific fact which I presume was particularly relevant to Americans.

All in all, I enjoyed this book very much. I thought the characters were well constructed, with strong personalities. I can’t say I loved them, because, true to life, they had flaws. I was somewhat irritated by Mallory and to a lesser degree Jake, probably because it just didn’t seem possible to live and love in that manner without much jealousy or insecurity. The fact that it was based in Nantucket also irked me. I felt that they were too privileged, too elitist, untouched by the realities of life – at least that was my irrational presumption.

The last chapter had me in floods of tears – very moving. So, easy to say – I have no hesitation in recommending this book as a great summer read. Resting by the pool, cool breeze, cold drink and a bunch of tissues when you get near the end – ahhh!

Thank you to the author, publishers and NetGalley for providing an ARC via my Kindle in return for an honest review.

I voluntarily read and reviewed am ARC of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for letting me read this book.
This book is very easy to read. The story is fast paced, the plot is bigger than expected, the language is witty, and the characters are engaging. The main couple, Jake and Mallory, are perfectly matched and yet somehow only get together once every year. In the beginning, I found myself being like the couple. I had no issues with it (despite not loving the idea of cheating) as I could see their reasons for keeping the arrangement. As the years went by, I felt sorry for the both of them, only allowing themselves blissful happiness once a year. It just felt sad towards the end.
3.5 stars

28 Summers by Elin Hilderbrand is, in my opinion, the author's most ambitious and accomplished novel to date. An epic love story that spans nearly three decades, this one will carry you away, and have you longing for your own chance at experiencing a Nantucket summer. Ms Hilderbrand has an enviable knack for evoking an island that so clearly holds a piece of her heart, and her idyll very quickly becomes ours. I have loved each and every one of my virtual summer escapes to Nantucket, and this one has proven to be no exception.

Mallory first meets Jake one Labour Day weekend shortly after she has inherited an idyllic beachside cottage from her aunt. Jake McCloud is a friend of her brother's, and when the two arrive on the island for a visit, the spark between Mallory and Jake is instant. But, as is often the case, life gets in the way, and personal entanglements prevent them from pursuing the relationship further, until an idea begins to form. What if, in the style of the film Same Time, Next Year, the two meet to recreate the perfect weekend every Labour Day, without contact at any other time? Could such an arrangement be sustainable as life unfolds for both Mal and Jake, for better or worse?

This is a wonderful story, brimming with all of the charm, heart, and decadent atmospheric detail that we have come to expect from Ms Hilderbrand, and I cannot recommend it highly enough.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for this ARC.

So, what are we talking about in 2020? Covid 19, Face masks, loo roll, Meghan and Harry, Epstein, BLM, Protests, statues, Australian Fires LFC, Furlough, Social distancing, lockdown, Zoom, home schooling, Philip Schofield...escaping into a good book!

I have read a lot of psychological thrillers recently and I was on the look out for an epic romance, I got more than I bargained for...

Where do I start with this book? 1993 and a long weekend in Nantucket for Mallory and Jake sets the precedent for future Labor Day weekends.

We are taken on a journey through the next 28 summers of Mal and Jake's 'Same time next year' relationship, putting aside their normal life for just a moment in time.

The author begins each change of year with the things making the headlines or trends - I loved this it was a great way to show the passage of time (especially as I read it in 24 hours, staying up till 2am) and also to take the reader along on the journey as it reminds us of the things we were doing in those years so I felt more connected to the story.

Straight from the start we know that Mallory is ill, and I wished we didn't know that from the off as I thought the end wouldn't have such a big impact, but I still bawled my eyes out.

SPOILER ALERT: I also wanted Mal to marry Scott, he seemed a good guy and I'm sure she could've sent him off on golf trips once a year, but then that meant I found myself condoning the affair, but it wasn't really an affair to begin with, they were both single, life just got in the way of their relationship and maybe the magic of it was that it was a brief encounter once a year.

In my head Bess and Link live happily ever after.

Follow Mallory through teenage to middle age and her relationship with Jake over 28 summers. They meet up just once a year and re-kindle their affair, of which their family and friends know nothing. A story full of hope and longing as well as secrets and betrayal. Each chapter focuses on a different year and is precluded with a short synopsis of the happenings in the world at that time, a really nice touch that draws you in to the story as you remember some pretty poignant times.

A really good holiday recommendation.

It's a tale of love, loss and friendship and Mallory is the central character who falls in love with her brother's friend, Jake. However, for various reasons their relationship is maintained over 28 summers. It's beautifully written and I especially loved the various references that begin each 'year' chapter.

The strength for me was the writing style, character development and a heart wrenching tale. The downsides were the weak premise of the '28 summers' - why couldn't they be together permanently? It's also a predictable read and the political element seemed staged / forced.

However, I found it to be an easy enjoyable 3* Good read.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers Hodder and Stoughton for the opportunity to preview.

For the last twenty-eight summers, Mallory and Jake have met to rekindle the passionate love affair they began all those years ago. Both of them in spite of their busy lives and families have managed to keep their secret, and to keep their love alive.

But this could be the summer that changes everything.... Mallory learns she's dying and Jake's wife, Ursula DeGournsey, is the frontrunner in the upcoming Presidential election. Could their twenty-eighth summer together also be their last?

This is my first book by this author and I loved her writing. Just by looking at the cover and reading the premise I knew I would like this book and I wasn't disappointed.

What I loved the most about this book was that each chapter starts with various references of events that occurred in that particular year. It brought back so many memories, some of which I had even forgotten about.

I loved Mallory, even though I wanted to hate Jake, I couldn't for Mallory's sake. Jake had the power in his hands to change the situation. Till the end I couldn't understand why did he marry Ursula DeGournsey? He didn't respect his marriage to Ursula since he kept cheating on her and couldn't tell her the truth. Nor could he respect his love towards Mallory, since he always kept her a secret.

Regardless of how frustrated I am, this was a good book. The ending was good and made me sad, even though I knew what the ending was going be at the start of the book.

Even though it is a perfect summer read, I believe that, this is a book that can be read anytime and still enjoy it.

Thank You to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for this ARC!!