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Yesterday I finished reading my last summer book: “Swan Song” by Elin Hilderbrand.
It’s pretty fitting that my last beach-based read of the year was Hilderbrand’s final novel set in Nantucket, right?
This book was also the final book in a four-book series, though I stand by the fact that you can read each book as a standalone.
“Swan Song” follows Nantucket Police Chief Ed Kapenash, right as he’s about to enter retirement. But before he can celebrate, the island’s largest and most famous house burns to the ground. And, someone related to the property is missing.
Even this close to retirement, Ed can’t look away. He knows people related to the case personally, and he won’t rest until it’s solved.
The book moves from present-day (after the fire) to the beginning of the summer (when everything was good), and it’s a perfect summer read; Hilderbrand does not disappoint!
I haven’t read all of Hilderbrand’s books (yet), but I’ve read several, and I always appreciate her sense of detail. The way she writes about the food, the fashion, the homes… it puts you right on Nantucket!
This book was the perfect mix of romance, mystery, and lavish lifestyles – I hated anytime i had to put it down. I purposefully carved out time yesterday to finish reading it because I NEEDED to know what happened.
What a great way to end my summer reading stack!
I created a Summer Reading Challenge for my Etsy Shop, and that was a fun way to diversify my book selections in the warmer months:
Here’s what I checked off this summer:
✔️ Is set in another country | Dear Monica Lewinsky by Julia Langbein
✔️ Is a mystery | The Reservation by Rebecca Kauffman
✔️ Is a memoir | Truly by Lionel Richie
✔️ Is a romance | First-Time Caller by B.K. Borison
✔️ Features a road trip | Joyride by Susan Orlean
✔️ Makes you laugh | Sandwich by Catherine Newman
✔️ Is set in a small town | Mystic Summer by Hannah McKinnon
✔️ Has a summer romance | A Summer Affair by Elin Hilderbrand
✔️ Has a family secret | Florence Adler Swims Forever
✔️ Is set at the beach | Jaws 2 by Hank Searls
✔️ Is set on an island | Swan Song by Elin Hilderbrand
Naturally, I made a Fall Reading Challenge, too:
I’m officially ready to start reading books from my fall stack (the entire list is here).
What was the best book you read this summer? What are you looking forward to reading this fall?
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