Golden Girl
In this satisfying page-turner from “the queen of beach reads” (New York Magazine), a Nantucket novelist has one final summer to protect her secrets while her loved ones on earth learn to live without their golden girl.
On a perfect June day, Vivian Howe, author of thirteen beach novels and mother of three nearly grown children, is killed in a hit-and-run car accident while jogging near her home on Nantucket. She ascends to the Beyond where she’s assigned to a Person named Martha, who allows Vivi to watch what happens below for one last summer. Vivi also is granted three “nudges” to change the outcome of events on earth, and with her daughter Willa on her third miscarriage, Carson partying until all hours, and Leo currently “off again” with his high-maintenance girlfriend, she’ll have to think carefully where to use them.
From the Beyond, Vivi watches “The Chief” Ed Kapenash investigate her death, but her greatest worry is her final book, which contains a secret from her own youth that could be disastrous for her reputation. But when hidden truths come to light, Vivi’s family will have to sort out their past and present mistakes—with or without a nudge of help from above—while Vivi finally lets them grow without her.
With all of Elin’s trademark beach scenes, mouth-watering meals, and picture-perfect homes, plus a heartfelt message—the people we lose never really leave us—Golden Girl is a beach book unlike any other.
$0.00
Georgiana –
Nantucket, ghosts, romance….and murder? Great beach read.
Elin Hilderbrand can always be counted on for contemporary fiction, with complex female characters and a great beach read. The characters in Golden Girl don’t disappoint, though they are extremely privileged. I wasn’t happy to begin the book reading from the point of view of Vivi, a ghost, because I feel that’s been done so many times.Still, I enjoyed the book. I liked that the underlying mystery of the “narrators” death gave us a logical timeline. I liked that even in Nantucket, a place that has come to represent the American Ideal, issues of racism, sexism and abuse must be confronted. I think Elin Hildebrand acknowledged the issues, without hitting her readers too hard with them… we don’t pick up a self-described beach read to rehash the issues we deal with in our regular lives.Golden Girl did exactly what a good summer book should. I look forward to the next one!
Book Club Cindy –
Another shining Nantucket saga
Like many of my reading selections, this one was chosen by our book club. We all consistently enjoy Elin Hilderbrand novels. This was quite different, starting like the old movie “Heaven Can Wait” with the untimely car accident death of the novel’s hero and narrator. The plot is intricate and involved, the characters are many and realistic–some likeable, some not at all, and I did not find the story predictable, which to me is definitely a positive! It is a fast read that certainly holds the reader’s attention.
Sarah M.Duesterbeck –
one of her best novels, by far.
One of my favorite books by Elin so far. Her ability to tell stories from so many different views offers even more insight to the narrative. I cannot wait to start on the next one.
Stephenee –
My favorite summer read so far!!!
This book was one of my favorite summer reads so far! I loved the way that the author included the title of her book into the story as the song title and such a pivotal part of the book. The reader instantly feels like they are in the story, sitting on the beach with the characters and going through their grief, their questions and their process of losing their mom so suddenly. The author creates a world that the reader wants to become a part of and the reader can’t way to see how ViVi uses her nudges to help her family. The reader will laugh, cry, yell, ugly cry and at times want to yell at the characters to figure their lives out!This one is sure to leave the reader with a book hangover like no other! Don’t hesitate to add this one to your TBR list and move it right to the top!! It’s a must read and a must read now!
From CT –
This was the perfect book for this new widow
This is the first of Elin Hilderbrand’s books that I have read. For me, in selecting it, I was amazed, almost shocked, by how meaningful this book would be to me at this moment in my life. I grew up on the Southwest side of Cleveland and moved to Connecticut over 40 years ago with my future husband. We married at the end of our first year in CT, raised a family and wete enjoying a quiet retirement. He suddenly passed away at home in my arms less than a year ago. The book seemed to be the perfect tonic for me during this time of tears and feeling out-of-place. I am especially grateful for Elin’s description of Vivi’s hereafter which gave me tremendous comfort. It was a brave topic for her, as a writer, to tackle and, for me, she did it with hope and gentleness with being maudlin. Her references back to the Cleveland area were like she had lived there. Her familiarity with New England and Nantucket captured the atmosphere of the coastal area. I will probably reread this book in the coming year when I feel a need to reorganize my grief and life.
Shannon Alvarez –
ALL RISE FOR THE QUEEN
I finally understand why Elin Hilderbrand is called the queen of beach reads, and this book is exactly why.Golden Girl is unlike anything I expected. Watching Vivi navigate the afterlife while observing her family fall apart and slowly piece themselves back together is equal parts heartbreaking and hopeful. The three nudges concept is such a clever device, and I loved how Hilderbrand used it without making it feel gimmicky. The family drama, the secrets, the Nantucket setting, all of it just works so beautifully together.If you’ve been sleeping on Elin Hilderbrand, start here. I already have a stack of her backlist ready to go.
Deborah A. Blackbourn –
Nantucket’s Suspects
Great book! It follows a few of Nantucket’s families through their lives & secrets. Vivi is an author & mom of 3 & a stand-in mom for a boy who lost his mom. Vivi is killed in a hit-&-run. The story revolves around the investigation of who hit & killed Vivi. I had it figured out right! Will you? Even though I figured it out early, it was still a great story!!
Kelly –
Another lovely tale from Nantucket, weaving some characters from some of her other books. Although technically a tragedy, it works things out satisfactorily with a couple of nice twists to keep you from being complacent in having worked it all out. I’ve never been disappointed by an Elin Hilderbrand book 🙂
Bandana –
This has been one of the most engaging read’s This concept of life after death …’ the Beyond ‘ … is there in the scriptures , and we have heard about it from our elders .And this very concept has been put in words so beautifully .It’s a must read …whether one believes in the concept or not .
Rlovesbooks –
I love all her books. They are all special and want to make me move to Nantucket and then again not. This one has a special twist making one be part of the authors views od afterlife and still been in reallife in the story
Amazon Customer –
I loved this bookLaughed and criedAnd I too want to know what happened next to all of the characters, flawed though they might be…
Tracey Greer –
Another great read by Erin.