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mbkarapcik's review against another edition
4.0
Even though we're knee-deep into fall, Elin Hilderbrand keeps the summer alive with Endless Summer. This book is an assortment of novellas, short stories, extra chapters, and a few formerly unpublished works connected to some of her books. If you're like me, you may not be able to wait until June to catch her next book. Incidentally, I just discovered it yesterday hiding in plain sight on Amazon. It's called Five-Star Weekend and looks fantastic.
Anyway, I cannot say that I was excited about this book despite my previous comments. Whenever I'd go to Target or Barnes and Noble, I would spend however long it took to read the extras in their exclusive copies of Elin Hilderbrand's books, so some of the stories I already read. My opinion changed after I paged through the book and realized that I hadn't read everything.
Some of the stories or extra chapters came from books I hadn't read in years. That took some extra effort to look up a synopsis of the older books because I had forgotten the premises or even the characters. I would have preferred a summary and re-introduction of the characters that the story focuses on along with the author's commentary.
When you do read some of those chapters or stories, you realize that some of them would not work as part of the book. Some of them were unnecessary, but I found the extra insight enlightening. Especially "The Workshop" because I kept wondering how close the experience mirrored the author's.
Although I loved The Perfect Couple, I wasn't totally enamored with the story connected to it. It seemed completely unbelievable, and I hope that it's not incorporated into the TV series that I think will eventually be made. The rights were purchased, so we shall see.
The novellas were my favorites. I absolutely loved Summer of '69, so I adored getting an update on the family again and how the fresh decade was tackled. I previously read the Summer of '79, which I really enjoyed, but Summer of '89 was new to me. It was as enthralling as the original book, and I remember that time period so well.
The Sixth Wedding takes place after 28 Summers, so I was totally intrigued with that. Great story, but I didn't like the ending. I love the continuations of some of her more beloved books. It's nice to know that the characters feel like old friends that you're catching up with.
If you're a die-hard Elin Hilderbrand fan like me, you either read many of these already or must read them. If you're a more casual fan, flip through to the stories you really want to read--at the library or deep in one of the book aisles at Target.
Anyway, I cannot say that I was excited about this book despite my previous comments. Whenever I'd go to Target or Barnes and Noble, I would spend however long it took to read the extras in their exclusive copies of Elin Hilderbrand's books, so some of the stories I already read. My opinion changed after I paged through the book and realized that I hadn't read everything.
Some of the stories or extra chapters came from books I hadn't read in years. That took some extra effort to look up a synopsis of the older books because I had forgotten the premises or even the characters. I would have preferred a summary and re-introduction of the characters that the story focuses on along with the author's commentary.
When you do read some of those chapters or stories, you realize that some of them would not work as part of the book. Some of them were unnecessary, but I found the extra insight enlightening. Especially "The Workshop" because I kept wondering how close the experience mirrored the author's.
Although I loved The Perfect Couple, I wasn't totally enamored with the story connected to it. It seemed completely unbelievable, and I hope that it's not incorporated into the TV series that I think will eventually be made. The rights were purchased, so we shall see.
The novellas were my favorites. I absolutely loved Summer of '69, so I adored getting an update on the family again and how the fresh decade was tackled. I previously read the Summer of '79, which I really enjoyed, but Summer of '89 was new to me. It was as enthralling as the original book, and I remember that time period so well.
The Sixth Wedding takes place after 28 Summers, so I was totally intrigued with that. Great story, but I didn't like the ending. I love the continuations of some of her more beloved books. It's nice to know that the characters feel like old friends that you're catching up with.
If you're a die-hard Elin Hilderbrand fan like me, you either read many of these already or must read them. If you're a more casual fan, flip through to the stories you really want to read--at the library or deep in one of the book aisles at Target.
melfierro's review against another edition
5.0
I love a book that feels like a warm hug! Since I spent most of 2021 reading Elin Hilderbrand books, reading and rereading these bonus chapters. I love getting to see what’s happened to some of my favorite characters!
keegan85's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
princessofbooksandcoffee's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.75
readingrubia's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
leahtoomey's review against another edition
3.0
I finished Summer of ‘69 and 28 Summers and was like ugh that’s it? I needed like one more chapter. She gave me literally exactly that in this book except I didn’t actually need one more chapter and I wasn’t a huge fan of them.
paintcc's review against another edition
2.0
These stories were pretty lackluster. No depth of character and truly meaningless unless you were extremely familiar with the corresponding book. Even then I didn't see where these prequels/sequels added anything to the story.
bookswritingandmore's review against another edition
4.0
This novel is for super fans of Elin Hildebrand as each chapter is a new prologue or extra chapter for some of her novels. The one I enjoyed most was the extra chapters of 28 summers. I know that any super fan will find this book to be amazing.
wls1122's review against another edition
4.0
Liked the “idea” of this book closing up loose ends but in so many of the stories I had either forgotten the story or it had been too long to even remember the first ones. Some you didn’t need to know the original but with the last two 79 and 89 you did. So thankfully I did remember summer of 69 that those made sense.