Reviews

The Summer Wives by Beatriz Williams

thebookishbanker's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark mysterious fast-paced

4.0

sundropreeds's review against another edition

4.0

The Summer Wives is my first encounter with author Beatriz Williams and it won’t be my last. I adored being immersed in Winthrop Island, it sounds like a wonderful summer hideaway. I love how the author drew me in and made me care about these characters and their fates. Overall, I enjoyed the mix of Historical Fiction and Mystery.

*Thank you to William Morrow for sending me the paperback ARC

jbruno87's review against another edition

2.0

2.5

abarrett7's review against another edition

4.0

I really enjoyed the writing style and characters. Downgraded from 5 stars because of the language and sex scenes but also because it was a bit predictable. But a good page turner for sure.

randis32's review against another edition

emotional tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

cassidys_bookshelf32's review against another edition

3.0

**3/5**
Meh. Liked the ending though.

anitaboeira's review against another edition

4.0

What an embroil.

ruthmittiga's review against another edition

5.0

I finished this book in a weekend which means I really loved it. I could not put it down.

***SPOILER***

This was a satisfying read because unlike some books that are great, but then the ending is up in the air or tragic, this one had a pretty happy and wrapped up ending which I really appreciate. I do not need to be bummed out by my books and tv shows all the time.

radiant_reader_86's review against another edition

emotional mysterious slow-paced

4.0

daybreak1012's review against another edition

4.75

My love affair with all works Beatriz Williams continues. It's been a while since I last dipped into her well-constructed universe, and this is the first book I've encountered in a while that was not a re-read for me since I embarked on my "read in publication order" mission. She just does not disappoint in her storytelling.

What I liked about The Summer Wives:
Multi-layered characters - Say what you will about the likability of some of them, but you can never accuse any of them of being boring or one-dimensional.
Beatriz is so snarky-funny - The number of times I read something that made me laugh right out loud. I am a sucker for a book that can make me laugh without even trying.
The island - Everything from the way Beatriz describes it to the social dynamics was fascinating to sink into. It was the perfect setting for the story that was told and so perfectly New England in its execution.
The triple timelines - I can't believe I didn't merely tolerate it but am extolling it. Even a dual timeline can pose challenges in keeping track of things, but the way Beatriz tells a story, I can't imagine it being handled any other way. The stories were unique enough to keep them clearly separate in the reader's mind and yet they worked in harmony to tell a single story from start to finish.
I couldn't believe the story of what really happened - No spoilers but how the responsible party could have allowed that to happen was just beyond me. So much heartbreak at the hand of that one single individual and for what?
The scene-setting - Beatriz is the sort of author who knows precisely how much detail to break out so that the reader can picture this world as they read. Everything from the places to the fashion to the way people talk. Not a single detail that felt out of place or unnecessary.
Revisiting some regular topics - Another branch in the Schuyler tree (I love scouting out how new Schuylers are related to those with whom we've already become acquainted) and more references to Prohibition and Rum Row.
Great moments in history - This time it was the moon landing. The way it was written into the story, it was almost like Beatriz had come up with the idea herself, and it made me feel like I was really given a perspective on the impact it had on people.

What I didn't care for:
Carroll Goring - I haven't encountered a man this gross since Dr Grant.

What left me conflicted:
The ending - I feel as if I do this dance with Beatriz regularly. She leaves a thread dangling on purpose and it's the one that I desperately want to have resolution. She has a history of making good on it at some point in the future, and I am always glad she handles it the way she does, but it makes me anxious each time, because I wonder if this is the one that finally won't get any answers. (This, by the way, is the reason it isn't five stars. I get angsty about it. If I get resolution, I will come back and relinquish the final quarter star in a heartbeat.)

Worth noting:
There are potential dealbreakers - There is a little bit of cussing and a whole lot of bedroom activities. This is par for the Beatriz course. Even though it isn't my favorite, though, I love her writing enough to power through that in exchange for the rest of the story.

I remain enamored with Beatriz and her Schuyler-and-friends universe. She masterfully chooses timelines that flawlessly carry the story she wants to tell. She paints word pictures that are extraordinary. I have loved every one of her books to this point and I am already looking forward to the next one I pick up. (It will be the next one in publication order. As is my habit, I will encourage you to read in publication order, starting with A Hundred Summers and skipping none of them, not even her collaborative works.)