Publication
New York : Little, Brown and Company, 2021.
Collection
Call number
Fiction H
Physical description
377 p.; 25 cm
Status
Available
Call number
Description
Fantasy. Fiction. Literature. HTML: 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 mistakesâ??with or without a nudge of help from aboveâ??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 messageâ??the people we lose never really leave usâ??Golden Girl is a beach book unlike any… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member dawnlovesbooks
After a long hiatus from my book blog, I am returning with a review of one of my favorite author’s books, during my favorite time of year- summer reading! It just isn’t summer unless there is a new beachy Elin Hilderbrand book to read while lying out in the sun (or sitting inside enjoying the
Golden Girl, begins with one of the central characters, Vivian Howe, being ran over and killed in a hit-and run accident on the island of Nantucket. Vivi watches from the beyond as the ones she left behind cope with her death. I was scared that this watching from beyond business would be too far-fetched for my liking, but I was pleasantly surprised that it seemed perfectly natural.
Vivi’s children are all struggling with their own issues and as they face the loss of their mother, they begin to deal with other things in their lives as well. All the while, everyone is trying to figure out who is responsible for her death.
This book was a little romance and a little family drama mixed with a lot of sunshine. I really enjoyed the characters in this novel and even though I had things figured out before the book ended, I enjoyed the time that I spent with Vivi and her family and as with all of Elin Hilderbrand’s books, I was left with the longing to visit Nantucket.
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ac). I was super excited that I was able to meet Elin Hilderbrand on her book tour and have my book signed. Golden Girl, begins with one of the central characters, Vivian Howe, being ran over and killed in a hit-and run accident on the island of Nantucket. Vivi watches from the beyond as the ones she left behind cope with her death. I was scared that this watching from beyond business would be too far-fetched for my liking, but I was pleasantly surprised that it seemed perfectly natural.
Vivi’s children are all struggling with their own issues and as they face the loss of their mother, they begin to deal with other things in their lives as well. All the while, everyone is trying to figure out who is responsible for her death.
This book was a little romance and a little family drama mixed with a lot of sunshine. I really enjoyed the characters in this novel and even though I had things figured out before the book ended, I enjoyed the time that I spent with Vivi and her family and as with all of Elin Hilderbrand’s books, I was left with the longing to visit Nantucket.
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LibraryThing member LyndaInOregon
Elin Hilderbrand is a wildly successful author with over two dozen novels under her belt and the unofficial title of “Queen of Beach Reads”. So it’s no surprise that her latest, Golden Girl, delivers the goods.
The tale takes off as prominent novelist (of beach reads, coincidentally) Vivian
Since Vivi has three nudges and three (more or less adult) children, it’s no surprise where her nudges are going to go. In fact, there aren’t really a lot of surprises here – who was driving the car, what a mysterious photo has to do with it all, and what life-changing decision Vivi made as a teenager that now may come back to bite her newly-deceased butt and cause all kinds of angst for her surviving family. Average Reader probably won’t nail all three, but the answers were probably on AR’s shortlist.
It almost doesn’t matter, because the rest of the story is packed with characters and situations from the life Vivi left behind so abruptly. It’s all set on the semi-fantasy world of Nantucket Island in the summertime, where every scene could be lifted from a J. Crew or Ralph Lauren catalogue and where most scandals eventually wash up on the beach to be examined and tsk’d over before the party moves on. There’s a fair amount of adultery here, with most of the detailed action taking place off the page. Vivi’s children, each in their own way, is attempting to cope with the sudden loss of their mother. Her ex-husband decides he has to end the May-December fling that broke up his marriage. And the island’s Chief of Police continues to dig at the unsolved hit-and-run, knowing mostly that the young man everyone thinks is the most likely suspect is no such thing at all.
Vivi uses her viewing window time to wander through her own past when she’s not hovering over her children and fretting about the bad decisions they’re making in her absence. She’s still rooting for her posthumously-released novel to hit number one on the NY Times list and begging her Person to bend the rules just a teensy bit so she can direct her family’s lives to unfold as she thinks they should.
The only points Hilderbrand loses are for a cast of characters so numerous that even by the final chapter, an occasional name will float to the top of the action and Average Reader will have to drop anchor until they can place Amy or Tink or Lorna and remember who they are and why they’re in this scene. The other oddity is a last-chapter revelation of a connection between Vivi’s Person and someone she knew on Nantucket. This is presented as if it’s not news to Vivi, but the Nantucket character hasn’t been mentioned at all previously. Just a slightly annoying oddity, but it is a blemish on the highly-polished setting Hilderbrand has presented.
Overall, Golden Girl is an enjoyable, involving read that presents well-drawn characters with believable motivations and a unique POV character looking down from The Other Side.
The tale takes off as prominent novelist (of beach reads, coincidentally) Vivian
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Howe, is struck down by a hit-and-run driver and suddenly finds herself in the Green Room for Heaven (or something very much like it). She’s assigned a Person, as are all new arrivals, to help her transition, and in view of the sudden and unexpected nature of her death, her Person grants her a 75-day “viewing window”, during which she can check in on her loved ones, plus three “nudges” – opportunities to slightly change a moment in time if it seems her subject is heading into imminent danger.Since Vivi has three nudges and three (more or less adult) children, it’s no surprise where her nudges are going to go. In fact, there aren’t really a lot of surprises here – who was driving the car, what a mysterious photo has to do with it all, and what life-changing decision Vivi made as a teenager that now may come back to bite her newly-deceased butt and cause all kinds of angst for her surviving family. Average Reader probably won’t nail all three, but the answers were probably on AR’s shortlist.
It almost doesn’t matter, because the rest of the story is packed with characters and situations from the life Vivi left behind so abruptly. It’s all set on the semi-fantasy world of Nantucket Island in the summertime, where every scene could be lifted from a J. Crew or Ralph Lauren catalogue and where most scandals eventually wash up on the beach to be examined and tsk’d over before the party moves on. There’s a fair amount of adultery here, with most of the detailed action taking place off the page. Vivi’s children, each in their own way, is attempting to cope with the sudden loss of their mother. Her ex-husband decides he has to end the May-December fling that broke up his marriage. And the island’s Chief of Police continues to dig at the unsolved hit-and-run, knowing mostly that the young man everyone thinks is the most likely suspect is no such thing at all.
Vivi uses her viewing window time to wander through her own past when she’s not hovering over her children and fretting about the bad decisions they’re making in her absence. She’s still rooting for her posthumously-released novel to hit number one on the NY Times list and begging her Person to bend the rules just a teensy bit so she can direct her family’s lives to unfold as she thinks they should.
The only points Hilderbrand loses are for a cast of characters so numerous that even by the final chapter, an occasional name will float to the top of the action and Average Reader will have to drop anchor until they can place Amy or Tink or Lorna and remember who they are and why they’re in this scene. The other oddity is a last-chapter revelation of a connection between Vivi’s Person and someone she knew on Nantucket. This is presented as if it’s not news to Vivi, but the Nantucket character hasn’t been mentioned at all previously. Just a slightly annoying oddity, but it is a blemish on the highly-polished setting Hilderbrand has presented.
Overall, Golden Girl is an enjoyable, involving read that presents well-drawn characters with believable motivations and a unique POV character looking down from The Other Side.
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LibraryThing member tamidale
Once again, Elin Hilderbrand comes out with a must-read beach read. I think this will hit the sweet spot for many readers as a favorite summer read.
Vivian Howe, an accomplished Nantucket novelist, is hit by a car one morning while she’s out for her daily jog. The first person to stop and help is
As Vivian dies, an angel named Martha is sent to greet her and educate her on what to expect. Martha tells Vivian she is allowed three nudges. Since Vivian left behind three adult children, she is very relieved about this and considers carefully how she can use these nudges to help her children.
Meanwhile the police chief is investigating the hit and run, but he is not convinced about the identity of the driver, so he continues to investigate until he’s on the right track.
As the story progresses, Vivian thinks back over her past and the mistakes she made and the pivotal moments of her life. One incident in particular has haunted her and with the help of Martha, Vivian can see how things have worked together for good, even though it did not seem so at the time.
As for her children, Vivian watches over them from above and learns that they will band together and each child will find their own way without her presence on earth. Letting go is hard, but the story handled the topic with such a positive and heartfelt vibe.
I loved this and read it while at the beach. Perfect story to read with you toes in the sand!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown & Co. for allowing me to read an advance copy and give my honest review.
Vivian Howe, an accomplished Nantucket novelist, is hit by a car one morning while she’s out for her daily jog. The first person to stop and help is
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her son’s best friend and he traumatized by the event.As Vivian dies, an angel named Martha is sent to greet her and educate her on what to expect. Martha tells Vivian she is allowed three nudges. Since Vivian left behind three adult children, she is very relieved about this and considers carefully how she can use these nudges to help her children.
Meanwhile the police chief is investigating the hit and run, but he is not convinced about the identity of the driver, so he continues to investigate until he’s on the right track.
As the story progresses, Vivian thinks back over her past and the mistakes she made and the pivotal moments of her life. One incident in particular has haunted her and with the help of Martha, Vivian can see how things have worked together for good, even though it did not seem so at the time.
As for her children, Vivian watches over them from above and learns that they will band together and each child will find their own way without her presence on earth. Letting go is hard, but the story handled the topic with such a positive and heartfelt vibe.
I loved this and read it while at the beach. Perfect story to read with you toes in the sand!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown & Co. for allowing me to read an advance copy and give my honest review.
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LibraryThing member bookwyrmm
Great beach read with romance, intrigue, and humor.
LibraryThing member flourgirl49
Hilderbrand's usual blend of frothy entertainment set on the island of Nantucket. The machinations of the characters in her books do tend to repeat themselves, however.
LibraryThing member Dianekeenoy
A perfect beach read even if it's the end of September! I was lucky enough to read it in my favorite beach place in Cape May!
LibraryThing member nyiper
Reaching the Acknowledgements explained, in part, the source for this story idea. I'm always amazed with he details that an author provides and this book is a perfect example ---eg., where and how Martha wears all of those scarves! I did not figure out the answer to the mystery at the beginning of
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the book until the Chief discovers the answer. Vivi is a wonderful character but there is a lot that could be said about the three children, and Cruz. I really couldn't put this down until I reached the end. Show Less
LibraryThing member rmarcin
I enjoyed reading this book about a woman, Vivi, who is given a chance to reflect on her life after she has been hit by a car. There is a mystery surrounding who left Vivi at the scene of the crash, but I wasn't at all surprised to learn who hit Vivi.
Vivi is a successful author living on
Vivi watches and hopes that the decisions they make will be good ones, and that they can turn their lives around. She also thinks about the way things are supposed to work out.
This was a good solid book, definitely a good beach read.
Vivi is a successful author living on
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Nantucket. Her marriage ended 10 years earlier when her husband decided he had fallen for a younger woman, Amy, who happened to be his employee. Vivi's 3 children are struggling, but in their own ways. Willa, married to her high school sweetheart, Rip, is trying to get pregnant, but has miscarried several times. Carson is the wild child, doing destructive things like getting high and entering into inappropriate relationships. Leo, the only son, is struggling with relationships. Vivi watches and hopes that the decisions they make will be good ones, and that they can turn their lives around. She also thinks about the way things are supposed to work out.
This was a good solid book, definitely a good beach read.
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LibraryThing member Baochuan
Easy reading with heart warming story line and ending.
LibraryThing member mchwest
UGH. I purposely saved this book until this summer hit was published and then read it in one day. What a totally different plot and twisty as ever. Elin Hildebrand never disappoints and I'm not sure how long I can hold out before reading Hotel Nantucket.
LibraryThing member mojomomma
Vivi Howe, author of 13 novels about Nantucket, is killed in a hit and run accident during her morning run. Vivi goes to heaven and with the help of her "person," Martha. She is able to follow what is happening to her young adult children, ex-husband, and best friend as they cope with her death and
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solve the mystery of who was behind the wheel that fateful morning. Show Less
LibraryThing member Jacsun
The saying goes: "Be careful, or you'll end up in my novel."
Vivian (Vivi) Howe is a successful writer at 51 years old. Her next book "Golden Girls" will be released soon and she's hoping that it will make it to the top in The New York Times.
She lives in what she calls a "money pit" home in
Soon after the novel begins, Vivi, is jogging and ends up getting hit by a car. She dies and immediately finds herself in the afterlife with her guide, Martha, who grants Vivi 75 days to review her life and three nudges to influence outcomes in the present.
This is a beach read to the max. The character, Vivi, creates novels from life events and those she knows. After the books are released, she waits to read the reviews. She notes: "Bringing her book out into the world was like setting her heart on a platter and allowing the public to poke, prod, scrutinize or - worst of all - ignore it." Gee whiz - I wonder if this is the author's notes to herself.
Nevertheless, it's a fun story about a family that has all kinds of complications but seems pretty real with the notion that one must be ready for anything that may happen when you least expect it. The characters are well developed - some you like more than others. It may be a tad long and easy to predict, but I enjoyed it. Five stars to Elin Hilderbrand.
Vivian (Vivi) Howe is a successful writer at 51 years old. Her next book "Golden Girls" will be released soon and she's hoping that it will make it to the top in The New York Times.
She lives in what she calls a "money pit" home in
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Nantucket with 18-year-old Leo who is gearing up for college and 21-year-old Carson who is trying to find herself while working at a bar in town. Her oldest, 24-year-old Willa, lives with her husband, Rip, nearby and happily just found out she's pregnant. Vivi adores them all along with her best friend, Savannah, who she has known since her college days. Soon after the novel begins, Vivi, is jogging and ends up getting hit by a car. She dies and immediately finds herself in the afterlife with her guide, Martha, who grants Vivi 75 days to review her life and three nudges to influence outcomes in the present.
This is a beach read to the max. The character, Vivi, creates novels from life events and those she knows. After the books are released, she waits to read the reviews. She notes: "Bringing her book out into the world was like setting her heart on a platter and allowing the public to poke, prod, scrutinize or - worst of all - ignore it." Gee whiz - I wonder if this is the author's notes to herself.
Nevertheless, it's a fun story about a family that has all kinds of complications but seems pretty real with the notion that one must be ready for anything that may happen when you least expect it. The characters are well developed - some you like more than others. It may be a tad long and easy to predict, but I enjoyed it. Five stars to Elin Hilderbrand.
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LibraryThing member DKnight0918
So grateful for an ARC of this book. It broke me out of my reading slump. It was nice to visit Nantucket again through one of her lovely books.
Awards
Language
Original publication date
2021-06
ISBN
9780316420082