Summer Island by Kristin Hannah on November 21, 2024
Pages: 319
Format: Paperback
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Kristin Hannah has a gift for writing emotional, deeply human stories, and Summer Island is no exception. This novel explores themes of family estrangement, forgiveness, and self-discovery through the story of Ruby Bridge, a struggling comedian who is forced to reconnect with her mother, Nora, after years of resentment and distance. As the two women face painful truths and uncover long-buried secrets, Hannah delivers a heartfelt and poignant tale about second chances and the complexity of mother-daughter relationships.
I enjoyed Summer Island—the emotional depth and character development are as strong as ever, and Hannah’s ability to make the Pacific Northwest setting come alive is a definite highlight. The novel has some genuinely moving moments, and Ruby’s journey of healing felt believable and earned. However, compared to some of Hannah’s other works, this one didn’t hit me quite as hard. Books like The Nightingale and The Great Alone packed more of an emotional punch and had a stronger narrative pull. While Summer Island is engaging and well-written, it didn’t leave the same lasting impact as some of her later novels.
That being said, fans of Kristin Hannah will still find plenty to love here. It’s a touching story about reconciliation, love, and learning to see the people we thought we knew in a new light. While not my favorite of her books, it’s still a solid, enjoyable read.