The Brightest Stars of Summer

Silver Sisters #2

by Leila Howland

Wedding bells are ringing on the Cape! It’s summer again and Marigold, Zinnia, and Lily are heading back to their beloved Pruet to help bride-to-be Aunt Sunny plan her big day. But cake and decorations aren’t the only items on the girls’ agenda this summer. Marigold can’t wait to escape the embarrassment of being cut from one of Hollywood’s biggest blockbusters—especially after she bragged to all of her West Coast friends that she was in it. And Zinnie is trying her hardest to write a story good enough to get into an elite writing program. She finds unexpected inspiration in Marigold’s heartbreak over last summer’s crush, Peter Pasque, and a cute boy named Max she meets on the beach.

But when it becomes clear that Max has eyes for Marigold, Zinnie can’t contain her hurt, and it leads her to betray Marigold with an unthinkable sister crime. With a wedding on the horizon and tension simmering between them, will the Silver sisters be able to overcome their hurt in time to give Sunny what she’s already given them: a summer to remember?

Genres: Middle Grade, Fiction, Realistic Fiction, Contemporary, Summer, Romance, Family

368 pages, Hardcover

First published May 17, 2016

About the author

Leila Howland grew up in Providence, Rhode Island. A graduate of Georgetown University, Leila spent five years acting in New York where she was a company member of the award-winning Flea Theater in Tribeca. She is the author of the YA novels Nantucket Blue, for which she was named a Publisher’s Weekly Flying Start author, Nantucket Red, and Hello, Sunshine, as well as the Silver Sisters middle grade series and the upcoming Rapunzel and the Lost Lagoon. Leila now lives in Los Angeles.

Reviews

[Michele Knott · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a beach read for kids!
I really enjoy this series.

[Bella · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adorable, though I think I like Book One better! :)

Review to come.

[Charlotte Fairbanks · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a pretty good read. One thing I did notice though was that I relate SO much to Marigold. Like...SO much.
Anyway, I would recommend this for ages 8+
Excited to read the next one!

[Esther · Rating 3 out of 5]

There's love in the air in Cape Cod. Aunt Sunny is getting married to Tony and the Silver Sisters are going to Cape Cod to help. Even though a wedding is exciting, that's not the only reason the girls are excited to go back to Cape Cod. Marigolds cannot wait to see Peter, her summertime boyfriend, and get away from the movie that cut out her scene! Zinnie is trying to get into an advanced writing group by writing an amazing story. Lily is just happy to be back in Cape Cod, and can't wait to flirt with Peter and swim the day away. But, there will be some serious trouble in paradise for the Silver Sisters with sister backstabbing, love gone wrong, and crushed hopes (and birds). Can the Silver Sisters pull through and make Aunt Sunny's wedding the best ever, even with everything going wrong?

This book was a calming read about what a really bad day would be like. This book is realistic fiction, but it doesn't feel that way. It was entertaining, but I don't think all of those things would happen in two weeks! It is a story though, so I didn't mind. I read the first book of the Silver Sisters, and I liked this second book better. It has betrayal and more feelings than the first one had. The book isn't what I like right now, but it wasn't bad. I like more fantasy. Realistic fiction is boring me. My favorite character was Aunt Sunny. She was real. She felt unhappy and upset when her nieces destroyed her cake and broke something important to her, all because they couldn't stop fighting. I want an Aunt Sunny, but it's ok, I have amazing Grandmas instead. Overall, the book was cute. I do have some questions though...
So are we going to totally ignore the fact that Peter was "cheating " on Lindsey with Marigold?
What about Aunt Sunny and her sisters(?)
I didn't understand the sentimental value of the glass bluebird.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a really cute book. Although I can't say I love it as much as the Penderwicks, it's still up there on my top 50 books. (That might not sound like a compliment, but I've read a lot of books ;)) This is about three sisters, who are trying to find themselves. It shares the older two sisters’ perspectives, and the youngest sister adds humor and sweetness to the book. One thing I don't love about this book is how mean the oldest sister is to her younger sister. However, you can tell that through thick and thin, they'll always be there for one another.

[Ava · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although this isn't the most challenging book for me, I loved it! Very simliar to The Penderwicks The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy, The Brightest Stars of Summer is a fun, heartwarming, and adventurous tale about 3 sisters who enjoy spending their summers in Cape Cod, Massachusetts.

[Alessandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so good. I am literally addicted to the Silver Sisters Series. I read the first one, and I've been waiting all summer for the opportunity to read the sequel. I am obsessed with the Harry Potter and Warriors series, but other than those, this is definitely my favorite book series of all time. It reminds me of the Penderwicks series, which I also enjoyed, but I liked this one much better. Readers of all ages would enjoy this book.

[Caraline Corvi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was beautiful, and I think it was perfect.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Shelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maybe because I inhaled this, reading it during a lazy beautiful day by the pool, but I loved it even more than the first one.

[Delaney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED IT

[Gabrielle Schwabauer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a super deep story, but genuinely sweet and heartfelt. The relationships between the sisters ring true and their conflicts are sympathetic and relatable. I appreciated that their arguments weren't random and contrived; they were tied to the flaws and fears and unique experiences of each of the girls.

In my review of the first book I mentioned that it had an overly simplistic take on gender and on the "girly" vs. "authentic" false dichotomy, and I'm pleased to say that this one was better. Marigold and Zinnie both had to learn that they didn't need to be more like the other person--trying would make them each miserable. It was okay for Marigold to be feminine, showy, dramatic, and fashionable, and equally okay for Zinnie to dress in simple clothes, speak bluntly, and goof off. Despite their differences, both of them had to learn to encourage the other to be truer to herself. Also, that setting! I want to summer in Pruet....

There were some weird plot bits (Marigold's summer boyfriend from the first novel has an actual steady girlfriend now, a realistic but stinging realization--but as the novel wears on she seems to disappear? Not a huge fan of girlfriends-as-plot-points. How did SHE feel about Peter's seeming budding feelings for Marigold again? Nobody does anything inappropriate, it was just weird to use her for Drama and then have her vanish conveniently.) and everything might tip over the edge into just a bit too cutesy, but sometimes you just want to read a book that is the equivalent of a fresh cookie, charming because you know exactly what to expect.

[Makaela · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series I first read as a 11 year old and immediately fell in love. I’ve read the reviews for the first one and everyone talks about how spoiled Marigold and Lily are, and how unrealistic the book is—which made me sad. Yes, this book is definitely a middle grade novel, but it is truly magical. This is one of the first books since the Penderwicks that I’ve read that actually portrays sibling relationship that feels authentic. I have siblings and the constant fighting are totally realistic. I love this entire series and recommend to girls from 9-13.

[Layla Horner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book very much, and I was intrigued throughout the whole story. I feel like the author could have explained the characters a bit more, because many were flat characters. Other than that, it’s great! I especially love a quote on page 273: “She had slept hard, without any dreams, and as the faint morning light eked through the curtains, for a moment she wasn’t sure what time or day it was.” I’m not sure why, I just love the summer vibes it gives off.

[Tatiana Pariselle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has an amazing love triangle between Zinne, Marigold and Max. See Zinne likes Max but when he meets her sister Marigold ( who is not at all herself ) he likes her better than Zinne so she asks Marigold to stop talking to him and Marigold is fine with that because she overheard Max saying he was going to ask her to be his girlfriend and Marigold likes Peter.

[Selina Cooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Loved It!

It is such a refreshing pleasure to read the Silver Sisters series. As an older adult I find books written for younger people so enjoyable for their innocent story lines and their fresh and wholesome outlook. I am enamored by the Silver Sisters and look forward to reading the next book in this series….☺️

[Cori Cooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

This sequel to Forget Me Not Summer was just as lovely as the first book. I was trying to tell my daughter why I loved it so much and totally couldn't. Still can't think of the words. It's just darling. Like you're there with the Silver sisters, and you're one of them. I can't wait to read the third book. I am seriously attached to these people!

[Samantha Minerva · Rating 5 out of 5]

este libro es 100% uno de mis comfort books. aún no me he leído el tercero pero estoy segura que es el mejor de la trilogía. me gusta que es muy lighthearted y tiene bonitas enseñanzas y summer vibes 😝. creo que esta es la tercera vez que me lo leo pero no lo sé, pero si lo disfruté mucho como las otras veces.

[Rena · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 sweet stars. Enjoyable follow-up to the first Silver sisters' book. How can you not like a story about a summer at Cape Cod. Only wish the girls would get to stay there longer than two weeks. Love Zinnie!

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Silver sisters are back on Cape Cod for another summer of adventure in The Brightest Stars of Summer. It's fun, but maybe not quite as good as the first book in the series--Howland continues to overuse the word "said", and "spaz" is used many times as an insult and is not challenged.

[Emilia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book more than the first one but the love triangles got a little dry at times. I loved how the overall theme of the story was Aunt Sunny’s wedding though and I loved the little side plot with the cake😂
Overall it was probably more like 4.5 stars and I really enjoyed it!

[Jaymie · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. This was terrific!! Great exploration of identity and sisterhood.

[Karla · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one is cute, but I liked the first Silver Sisters book even more :)

[Annie Lee · Rating 2 out of 5]

For fans of the Penderwicks.

[Nina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book and this series! It is written so well with great details and great advice. I really recommend this book for someone looking for something sweet and family love! ;)

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Liked the first one a little better.

[Mrs J M Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best

It was really good because they had there ups and downs but kept on going together, it was also funny.

[Holli · Rating 5 out of 5]

The ending bumped it up from 4.5 to 5 stars.

[Tahlia Rehm · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book! I have read the first book and really enjoyed it. This was the same!

[Francesca · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book gave me so much nostalgia, I didn't love it though since my tastes have changed since middle school.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love these books!