A fun ride and different perspective from the typical Vineyard book ( )

I absolutely adored this until the ending, which wasn't exactly what I expected and I didn't think it quite fit. I think this missed many moments for potential conflict, but the writing was very solid and though I've been struggling with historical fiction recently, it was fun and readable. ( )

Moving to become a nanny, Heddy finds herself among the rich couples of Martha's Vineyard! The change in atmosphere leaves more questions than answers as she integrates into their society more and more.

Money does not always equal happiness, and Heddy soon begins to discover this about those around her. How people show one face in public and another in private.

Such an enjoyable read! I felt like I was right there among everyone during that summer. I loved the 60's culture. I was disappointed in the end - it was a bit wild... but overall, I loved every moment of it! ( )

This was a very good book. The characters were so well described I could picture them. This is what being a nanny for the summer on an island I imagine would be like would be like. It reminded me a lot of Elin Hildebrands stories from Nantucket. ( )

The Short of It:

Everything you want in a summer read, a slow-burn romance, a Martha’s Vineyard setting, a 1960’s backdrop of money and glamour but also a tiny bit of deception to keep you interested.

The Rest of It:

I went into this read with an open mind and it surprised me in a lot of ways. It wasn’t a straight-up beach read, as you’ve come to expect from a cover like the one above. Summer Darlings offered quite a bit more and kept me interested very early on.

After losing her scholarship at Wellesley, Heddy must find a way to earn her tuition money quickly and the easiest way to do that is to be a nanny for one of the wealthiest families on the island. Heddy is great with children but the lifestyle is a stretch for her. She has never been surrounded by so much wealth and opulence, nor has she any experience with how social circles work.

At first she is envious of her boss. She seems to have everything, a beautiful home, an attractive husband but no matter how much money you have, things are never as perfect as they seem. Between the other inhabitants of the island and her keen observations, there is definitely trouble in paradise.

I really loved that this story had a little bit of everything. It had all the glitter and glamour you’d expect from the island rich, but there is a bit of darkness too and honestly, it caught me by surprise. Heddy is young and impressionable but she doesn’t always make good choices, which surprised me given her upbringing. Nonetheless, I found it to be a great summer read and a good kick-off to summer reading. Have you read it?

For more reviews, visit my blog: Book Chatter. ( )