That Summer is a story about surviving our pasts, confronting our futures, and the sustaining bonds of friendship. A beautiful and delightful book to read, one I really just wanted to spend my time reading and savoring the experience.

Thank you for the opportunity to review this new novel.

I'm surprised by the writing and the characters. There is A LOT of telling instead of showing and it makes the novel boring. I couldn't connect with the characters and the writing felt immature. I kept thinking that this author can do it a lot better.

I liked the way this was written from the first word. Liked the way the characters have been described. This one does deal with more serious issues as well.

Having thoroughly enjoy in her shoes I was looking forward to reading the latest offering from the author but unfortunately it doesn’t live up to her earlier work

An emotionally powerful story, thought provoking and full of twists and turns. Jennifer Weiner is a brilliant writer.

I blitzed through this book over the weekend as I just could not get enough. Light and witty I enjoyed every second. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 rounded down.

This is a novel about two Dianas. The older of the two at the age of fifteen gets the offer of summer work caring for twins on the Cape. This is 'That Summer' which lies at the heart of the novel. The younger Diana, re-christened Daisy by her older husband Hal, works as a cook. Via an email mix up the two women meet in 2019. This is a novel about guilt and atonement.

The aspects of the novel that I think are good lie in the positive message the author is trying to convey with the darker elements handled sensitively. The impact, the suffering and the feelings as a consequence of that summer are portrayed well. The character of Beatrice, Daisy's daughter, is done exceptionally well and she is the standout character for me. She's brave, spirited, she's unabashed to be different and is comfortable in her own unique skin. If I had a daughter I'd want her to be like her. Diana and Daisy are also good characters but Hal makes my fists clench with his control of Daisy.

However, unfortunately I find it a laborious build up to get to the nitty-gritty, there's superfluous detail as the plot drifts and meanders. Therefore, it takes me a very long time to connect with the storyline although ultimately, I do. The alternating perspectives leads to some repetition and so the 'punch' you'd expect to get from the novel never really comes. It lacks the suspense and tension that such a storyline suggests should be there and which it really needs to be powerful. Some parts of the storyline didn't really go anywhere and yet could have been very revealing on certain characters and other aspects are just a bit too convenient. I just want more sparks and drama and the lack thereof is exemplified by the ending which is a fizzle out in my opinion.

Ultimately, it's way too long which thus reduces the impact of what should have been a gripping story.

Triggers - rape/sexual assault

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Little, Brown Book Group/Piatkus for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.

Jennifer Weiner is a really great author her previous books Good in bed and In her shoes are really great and light. This one has a lot more depth and deals with some dark issues like sexual assualt but it is handled really well and sensitively. I really liked the characters in this book a d the storyline developed well. I likef the

I have been a fan of Jennifer Weiner since I read Good in Bed and then Followed up with In Her Shoes, from then I was hooked and this was no exception. I liked the writing style, the narrative and the well developed characters. I also like the dual timeline within the storyline as this worked well.
I found this to be more thought provoking and less lighthearted than some of her books, and deals with triggering issues such as sexual assualt, and although this was handled sensitively, if you were looking for a light-hearted read then this may not be for you. I however, really enjoyed it.

This story was good. It moved back and forth between time lines. Although it was based during summer time. I wouldn’t describe it as a summer read.

That Summer by Jennifer Weiner
I give this book 4.stars

From the manicured Main Line of Philadelphia to the wild landscape of the Outer Cape.That Summer is a story about surviving our pasts, confronting our futures, and the sustaining bonds of friendship.

This is my first book by this author..
A thought provoking story about rape,secrets,friendships,marriage and growth.A serious subject matter is handled well but quite graphically.l loved the open style of writing and superb character development of Daisy
and Diana.l enjoyed their past/present perspectives and how their stories are interwoven
I think this would make a great bookclub discussion read.
With thanks to Netgalley,Jennifer Weiner and Little, Brown Book Group UK, Piatkus for my chance to read and review this book

When i requested this, I didn't realize it was her book that released last summer. I'm going off my memory. This book was great!!! The ending was huge and the fact that this was a "plot" all along was not what I expected. The fact that Daisy also has a daughter and puts her child in the forefront of her mind when she stands up to her husband is something to be applauded! Some disturbing things in this book, but nothing that honestly isn't faced daily. Great book!