The Summer of Us

by Holly Chamberlin

The little beach house on Martha's Vineyard has a rickety porch and no closets, but the gorgeous location is unbeatable--and more than enough to entice three total strangers into a house share for the summer. . .

At first, the only thing Gincy, Danielle, and Clare have in common is a desire to spend weekends away from the city. No-nonsense Gincy has worked hard to leave her small-town childhood behind. Danielle grew up with every advantage and is looking for a husband who'll fit neatly into her pampered life, while Clare is enjoying a last burst of independence before marrying her ambitious fiancé. Yet lazy beach days and warm, conversation-filled nights forge an unexpected connection. And over the course of one eventful summer, Gincy, Danielle, and Clare will discover that friendship isn't always measured in how well you know a person's past--but in opening each other's eyes to everything the future could hold. . .

"Nostalgia over real-life friendships lost and regained pulls readers into the story." –USA Today on Summer Friends

"It does the trick as a beach book and provides a touristy taste of Maine's seasonal attractions." --Publishers Weekly on The Family Beach House

Genres: Chick Lit, Fiction, Romance, Summer, Beach Reads, Ebooks, Contemporary

433 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

Holly Chamberlin is a native New Yorker, but she now lives in Portland, Maine - the aftermath of stumbling across Mr. Right at the one moment she wasn't watching the terrain. She's been writing and editing - poetry, children's fantasies, a romance novel or two, among many other genres and projects - her entire life. She has two cats, Betty and Cyrus, and when she's not writing her hobbies include reading, shopping, and cocktails at six.

Reviews

[Erin · Rating 1 out of 5]

I HATED THIS BOOK! I can not say it strongly enough. This book is the epitome of everything wrong with the current American publishing scene. I don't know why publishers think women want to read about characters who are losers. This book was filled with nothing but stereotypes and typical forced left wing politics. Ugh! I couldn't even finish it. I skipped the last 30 pages because I just didn't care what these lame annoying characters did.

[K.E. Garvey · Rating 5 out of 5]

To be honest, I purchased this book solely for it's 90% discount when Border's was going out of business. One of her earlier novels, I read it and completely fell for Holly's style. I will admit, I am a scanner. An author has about a half a paragraph of 'bore' before I start skipping entire passages to get to the good stuff. I did not have to do that at all throughout this entire book. Her descriptions were crisp, but she did not overload the reader with trivial details that were essentially uneeded.

Told in the first person POV, between the three main characters, each had a very distinctive voice and a more distinctive personality. What I liked most about the book, which someone else may not have was the subtle change in characters. Holly begins each chapter with the name of the POV character rather than a chapter number. There really was no need as each one was quite different in her own outlook, internal reflection, voice and language. But, toward the end of the book, I actually had to refer back or re-read a time or two to see who was speaking. Generally, that would be considered poor writing, but in this case, I believe it was very clever writing, whether that was the intent or not. They began so obviously different in the ways and their speech, but after a summer of 'bonding' which none had the intention of doing, they actually began to pick up on the other's moods, habits, feelings and even speech. And to me, THAT is the subliminal change people go through. We expect the obvious changes for any given situation, but it's the subtle, almost subliminal changes that separate a writer from someone who writes. Very well done - and I just went out and bought 'One Week in December' and 'Tuscan Holiday' to follow up an excellent read!!

[Kayla Trantham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 4/5 ⭐️’s

I really liked this book for one main reason: just because you’re almost 30 doesn’t mean you have life or yourself figured out yet. I thought it was a beautiful message! It also really made me feel better about being 25 and not always feeling like I’m “enough” of an adult.

Gincy kind of reminded me of my younger self, which was scary to read. On the other hand, I’m a completely different person than I was five years ago, and that is something I have to remind myself occasionally.

I really enjoyed the friendship that blossomed between the three women, despite their vast differences. I think it does a really good representation of friendships in adulthood. I loved that the things that annoyed each other, were also the things they loved about each other.

This was a very easy, fun beach read and I recommend it to anyone who enjoys reading about friendship and love and learning about yourself!

[Bianca Walsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Random library find put I couldnt put it down! Such a fun story of friendship!

[🍒 · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75

[Rebekah · Rating 2 out of 5]

For a so called "easy read", I found this book incredibly difficult to get into...in fact, I almost completely gave up on it barely 2 chapters in. I found the characters incredibly one dimentional, predictable and in most instances incredibly unlikable. I especially disliked the character of GIncy, who seemed lazy, scruffy, short tempered and generally mean and judgmental...there was just no heart to her, she was all bark and bite, with no soft center. I usually like my main female characters to be spunky or sassy, but this went beyond that, and I found myself hoping she'd get dumped on her arse by the mid point of the book! Not an enjoyable read at all!

[Meg · Rating 1 out of 5]

I hated this so much that I almost didn't finish it, but I haven't not finished a book since my 9th grade summer reading assignment so I just had to power through. The characters are disgustingly shallow and there's a ridiculous amount of political/social commentary. It takes chick lit to a whole new level while it tries too hard to be something more, making it EVEN WORSE. I don't think I will ever be reading another one of her books. The only character that didnt infuriate and bore me at the same time was Rick, but even he was just not believable. Ugh, sooo baddddd.

[Jenny Street · Rating 4 out of 5]

I seriously only read this book because I found it in a box that I was cleaning out. I’m pretty sure I’ve had it for many years and have no idea where I got it from.
It was a fluff piece and pretty predictable. Super easy read and I remember when I was almost 30 and still single so there were some resonating factors of “how can I be 30 and still single?” I wanted a beach read with no concentration aspects and that’s what I got.

[Corby · Rating 2 out of 5]

So I knew going into this that I was in for a chick lit ride, but I can handle that genre when it has some great character development, can evoke a bit of travelogue, and includes an interesting plot line. However the 20-something path to self-discovery here was so poorly drawn that even the non-wealthy-down-homey main character was Just. So. Shallow. Nevermind the wealthy Long Island Jewish Princess and midwestern upper class Sandra Dee caricatures that were the other two main characters... Of course they were going to grow by the end of the book -- they started out so damn low there was no place for them to go but to get more mature. I think my 12 year old is more adult than these women. The Vineyard itself could have been it's own, separate character, but again the backdrop was just a set of location names dropped here and there (shallow, again), with no regard for painting the summer scene for a reader with words. Two stars for an easy read that had a clear beginning, middle and end, but I'm pretty sure I'm going to forget all about this one in a month.

[John Everard Griffith · Rating 2 out of 5]

I reacted negatively to this book from the early chapters but pushed through to see how it turned out. The book has three women (almost thirty), strangers, who decide to rent a place at the beach so they can hang out there weekends. They are all stereotypes of women who have limited self-awarness and not very deep thinkers. They are all concerned about relationships with men with hints to past difficulties with parents...there is a lot of patter between them as they get to know each other but none of them seem to be able to make good decisions. They are confused about how they feel, what they want...and it goes on and on. Until they sort of become friends or at least trust each other by the end of the book. It was a challenge for me to keep reading but I confess I was curious if they would ever grow up a little. I leave the decision on that to you if you decide to read the book.

[Kaitlin Haidarenko · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was looking for a light summery, beach read for my week at the lake. I struggled to get through this one. It’s lacking any whimsical descriptions of said beach/ beach house - there’s absolutely no feel for where they are. Also there’s no feel for WHO they are or the depth of their friendships or relationships. For being 30, their maturity level and self awareness was lacking. They were all unlikeable and forgettable and I did not care if any of them succeeded. Pass on this one

[Traci Wright · Rating 3 out of 5]

I almost gave up on the book, the start seemed slow and I really disliked all the characters for different reasons. I stuck with it though hoping it would get better, and it did. Not the best but not the worst and I at least ended up liking the characters in the end. Likely to try another Holly Chamberlin book.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good summer-y read about 3 unlikely women coming together and finding friendship. I will say I got rather impatient with some of their romantic pitfalls, but I did appreciate the insight into what each was thinking and working through. Also, the ending was not exactly as I expected, which I found refreshing.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

It may have been that I was only reading this during my 30 minute lunches while eating and others around but this book took forever to read and I wasn't engrossed like I usually am with a book. There are 3 characters different as can be and each chapter is in their voice and it was hard to keep track who I was really reading. Obviously it was goos enough I finished the book, but it was rough.

[Agnes Stanley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed it more than I thought I would as it took me a long time before I felt any desire to open it as it sat staring at me each time I walked into my reading nook.

It turned out that I couldn't put it down as it was a simple, easy, and entertaining read. I enjoyed reconnecting with myself at that age.

[Mandy Eve-Barnett · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the interactions of the characters and the well rounded personalities of each one. The personal struggles with conforming to societal expectations is one I feel most women will recognize. It was somewhat disjointed when the women went 'back home' during the summer, not something I have ever experienced, so it is probably not the fault of the author in that respect.

[JulieAnn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this one. I liked the exposure of all the stupid choices made in order to be true to oneself. I’m sure every girl can relate on some level to something in this book at one point in her life. I liked the bond between these very different girls and it’s a great book to show women how to act supportive to each other.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Though the writing was still jarring at times, the story grew on me as I progressed. I enjoyed the examination of the different girls' lives, though it would've been nice to have more of an "aha" moment for Danielle in particular.

[Jenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't love it but i didn't hate it!! I still could not put it down!!! 3 strangers become friends after renting a summer house!! All the trials and tribulations of being opposites, and also in love lives!!

[Donna · Rating 1 out of 5]

I used to finish reading whatever I started. Not anymore. Life is too short to force yourself to read silly, inane, chic flick books that have nothing compelling about them. Read about 80 pages in. Fair chance I think.

[brett · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the lightness of the book, but the way that it was written threw me off a little. Once I got into the groove of the book, it wasn't a problem and I really enjoyed the easy-going tone of the book.

[Jessica Tengstrand · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story about three strangers who meet and become friends while renting a summer home. Of course there is a lot of drama in their relationships!!! I like how things work out realistically for them!!! Fun summer read!!!!

[Krista Coley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this out of a free library so very surprised with how much I liked it but it was such a cute mixture of characters and a cute take on female friendships while they are all finding their way in a cute summer together I loved it

[Ashley Gunnell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not spectacular, but I enjoyed it. Like a silly romantic comedy. It takes place in the early 2000's, before social media, so three 20 something women meet through an ad in the newspaper, and share a vacation house together. It's a light read, perfect for summer.

[Dyan · Rating 2 out of 5]

A beach read about three very different women who astonishingly form a close (highly unlikely) friendship. High drama and extreme behaviors.

[Stephanie Joines · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun summer fluff read. Beach book.

[Denise · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy beach read for my winter getaway......definitely chick-lit.....

[Janet · Rating 2 out of 5]

After reading a fair amount of pages, I had to struggle to reach the finish line. I liked the characters, but this one just wasn't for me.

[KW · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you’re looking for a superficial and mindless read, this is it!

[Joanne · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ok story, didn't like the characters much, probably won't read her again