Fiction
2020 Hachette Audio
Read by Erin Bennett
Finished on July 7, 2021
Rating: 4.5/5 (Very Good)
Publisher's Blurb:
By the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Summer of '69: Their secret love affair has lasted for decades -- but this could be the summer that changes everything.
When Mallory Blessing's son, Link, receives deathbed instructions from his mother to call a number on a slip of paper in her desk drawer, he's not sure what to expect. But he certainly does not expect Jake McCloud to answer. It's the late spring of 2020 and Jake's wife, Ursula DeGournsey, is the frontrunner in the upcoming Presidential election.
There must be a mistake, Link thinks. How do Mallory and Jake know each other?
Flash back to the sweet summer of 1993: Mallory has just inherited a beachfront cottage on Nantucket from her aunt, and she agrees to host her brother's bachelor party. Cooper's friend from college, Jake McCloud, attends, and Jake and Mallory form a bond that will persevere -- through marriage, children, and Ursula's stratospheric political rise -- until Mallory learns she's dying.
Based on the classic film Same Time Next Year (which Mallory and Jake watch every summer), 28 Summers explores the agony and romance of a one-weekend-per-year affair and the dramatic ways this relationship complicates and enriches their lives, and the lives of the people they love.
I remember watching Same Time Next Year many, many years ago and while I don't usually care for books about infidelity, 28 Summers was very entertaining and kept my interest over the course of our 5-week road trip. I don't get a lot of time for audiobooks while we're on the road, especially when it's too hot to go for long walks, but in spite of the long gaps between listening time, I never lost the details of the plot. Erin Bennett does a very nice job with the narration, but I would have also liked to have the print edition so I could linger over the chapter intros ("What are We Talking About In [insert year]"), which brought back a lot of memories about what was going on in the 90s and early 2000s. A beach read? Yes, but with more depth than a mindless romance. Recommend.
I received a complimentary copy from Libro.fm. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
It's a good sign if you like a book even when you have long gaps while reading it. I usually find that difficult as I need to get into the story more.
ReplyDeleteHelen, the story was somewhat predictable (with the exception of one major event that startled me), so maybe that helped with the gaps between listening periods. In spite of the predictability, it was very enjoyable and I'm glad I read it. It was a perfect vacation read.
DeleteI loved this one a lot. Glad it worked for you as well. Hilderbrand's books are sometimes iffy for me as her newest one, Golden Girl was a DNF for me.
ReplyDeleteDiane, I've only read a few of Hilderbrand's books (The Love Season, The Blue Bistro, and Winter Street), but I'm willing to try some of her others. I didn't care for Winter Street, but enjoyed the others. The premise to Golden Girl sounds a bit odd and doesn't really appeal to me, but I have Summer of 69 on my TBR list, so I'll eventually try that one.
DeleteI don't usually like a focus on infidelity with characters I like, but I remember Same Time Next Year fondly. What interests me most about 28 summers is the chapter intros: ("What are We Talking About In [insert year]") That alone is a draw!
ReplyDeleteJenclair, I'm tempted to check it out from the library just so I can reread each chapter intro!
DeleteThis author has quite a long list of books but I don't think I've read one. Sounds like this one could be a good place to start!
ReplyDeleteShe's quite a prolific writer, Iliana. I've read two or three other books by her and this is probably my favorite.
DeleteI think I started this on audio but then put it down. Perhaps I should try it again. I recall the 1978 movie Same Time Next Year ... but haven't seen it in many moons .... it's likely a bit dated now right?
ReplyDeleteSusan, I really enjoyed the audio! Hmm, I'll bet Same Time Next Year is quite dated, but it might still be fun to watch again. I used to love Alan Alda in MASH.
DeleteI have a hard time focusing on audio books no matter how hard I try. I tried to read one book by this author and it was too fluffy for me but everyone loves her. I feel like I need to try another book.
ReplyDeleteTi, I think it takes time to get in the groove of being an audiobook listener. My mind used to drift quite a bit when I first started, but now it's very natural. Of course, I usually just listen while walking or driving. I can't listen while trying to cook dinner! This book might be a good one to try, if you want to give the author another chance. It was light but not too fluffy.
DeleteInfidelity is a turn-off for me too, but not a deal breaker, book-wise that is :) Adding this to my list.
ReplyDeleteStacy, this wasn't too much of a turn-off for me, maybe because they kept the relationship going for so many years (and it wasn't just a fling).
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