Summer House: A Novel

by: Nancy Thayer

Published by: Ballantine Books

Reviewed by Amy Loos

Nancy Thayer’s Summer House introduces readers to three generations of the Wheelwright family. As prominent bankers in Nantucket, the Wheelwrights live a lifestyle many of us only dream about. However, the old adage, “if it looks too good to be true, then it probably is” applies to the Wheelwrights.

Through three distinct personalities– Nona the matriarch, followed by Nona’s daughter-in-law Helen and Helen’s daughter Charlotte–we are invited to take a closer look at this family dynamic. While many may view the Wheelwrights as they portray themselves as faultless and slightly elitist, the truth comes out through Nona, Helen and Charlotte.

These three women represent the way most of us live our lives, striving every day to provide the best possible life for ourselves and the ones we love, albeit somewhat complicated, thanks in part to bad decisions, poor attitudes and judgments against ourselves and others.

What I most enjoyed about Summer House was the way Nona came alive as the story progressed. I loved reading the glimpses of Nona’s younger years and how she felt now as an older woman. Nona exemplifies a wise elder. She’s astute about her family’s dynamics and yet she’s tender and loving with every family member, regardless of their personal choices and decisions.

While Nona was clearly my favorite, Helen and Charlotte add a completely different dimension to the Wheelwright circle as they make their way through family drama surrounding Charlotte’s organic garden earnings, Helen’s thoughts are of divorcing her cheating spouse and the impending wedding of her gay son Oliver.

Nancy Thayer does a great job of reminding us through the Wheelwrights that while families aren’t perfect, we all have the ability to love and accept one another because we are family.

Note: This author is New York Times Bestselling author with The Hot Flash Club.

Armchair Interviews says: If you want a good beach read, then grab a copy of Summer House.

Author’s Web site: http://www.NancyThayer.com