TW: Depression,Alcoholism, domestic violence, a character suicide, grooming

This is my first book by Elin Hilderbrand and what a great first book to read, I have also found out that this is her first historical fiction novel, and that all/most of her books are set in Nantucket. i would have to say that Elin is a natural in the historical fiction genre after just reading this book. It was just that good.

This book is set in the backend of the 60’s and follows the lives of one family, the levins who in this book go through so many emotions, dilemmas and lots of family drama.

Every summer the Levin’s always go to Nantucket and everyone usually are excited and happy to be going. But this year so many scenarios have played out and the family are not really excited anymore.

As we follow the lives of this family we see the ups and downs of this at times dysfunctional family. Such as Blair the oldest daughter has found out she is pregnant with twins and is mainly at home on her own most of the time as her husband Angus who is working with NASA is out most of the time either busy at work or is he keeping a secret ?

The middle daughter Kirby who is all about brining unity and rights to America to ensure everyone lives freely. Kirby has also not came to Nantucket this year as she has found at job working at Marthas vineyard then eventually a hotel.

The youngest daughter Jessie who is the only one going to Nantucket with her mother and grandmother is not really feeling up for it but has to go anyway but while she is there we see her character develop and see her be put in a very horrible situation. But also through this she meets a boy who is staying at the house called pick and we see this relationship unfold and many truths start to come out of the woodworks.

We also see a little bit of Tiger the only son in the family who has gone into the army to serve for a America in Vietnam and through the book we see the worry that the family face in wether they will see their son/brother/grandson ever again and the when we see letters get delivered in the book you can just fell the emotions and nervousness of the letter and the family not trying to fear the worst just before they see the letter.

i really loved the whole historical aspect of this book aswell and 1969 has got to be one of the perfect years to write about. From the clothes described to the many monumental occasions that are legendary to this day and also the classic bands and singers that get put throughout the book is just amazing to read about it definitely transports u back to the year of 1969.

Overall this book was such an amazing read and for Elin Hilderbrand’s first historical fiction this was soooooo good and like I just said being able to be transported back to 1969 was so cool and a very cool and the 60’s a very cool time to read about. The perfect summer read and if u haven’t picked this book up yet you sure need to.

4.5/5 stars