The
Summer of Good Intentions by Wendy Francis
Published: July 7, 2015
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Challenges: 2015 NG/EW
Rating: 4/5
Synopsis
Cape Cod summers are supposed to
remain reassuringly the same, but everything falls apart when three sisters and
their families come together for their annual summer vacation—and they are
carrying more secrets than suitcases.
Maggie is the oldest. She feels
responsible for managing the summer house and making sure everything is as it
always has been. But she’s hurt that her parents’ recent divorce has destroyed
the family’s comfortable summer routines, and her own kids seem to be growing
up at high speed. Is it too late to have another baby?
Jess is the middle sister. She loves
her job but isn’t as passionate about her marriage. She’s not sure she can find
the courage to tell Maggie what she’s done—much less talk to her husband about
it.
Virgie is the youngest, her dad’s
favorite. She’s always been the career girl, but now there’s a man in her life.
Her television job on the west coast is beyond stressful, and it’s taking its
toll on her—emotionally and physically. She’s counting on this vacation to erase
the symptoms she’s not talking about.
The Herington girls are together
again, with their husbands and kids, for another summer in the family’s old
Cape Cod house. When their mother, Gloria, announces she’s coming for an
unscheduled visit—with her new boyfriend—no one is more surprised than their
father, Arthur, who has not quite gotten over his divorce. Still, everyone
manages to navigate the challenges of living grown-up lives in close quarters,
until an accident reveals a new secret that brings everyone together in
heartbreak…and then healing.
My Thoughts
The Summer
of Good Intentions focuses on the Herington family and how one summer has
changed their lives forever. When all three sisters and their families comes
together for their annual summer getaway at the family house but this year
feels and is very different from summers past. Their parents are recently
divorced and they have to deal with having them there separately since their
mother is bringing a new boyfriend and their father just isn’t acting himself
these days. Plus they all have to deal with their own lives and families and
how their choices will not only affect themselves but the family as a
whole.
Maggie is the oldest the family’s rock. Her life
and marriage is the most solid and she is the one who is determined that her
family doesn’t fall apart, so much so that she takes on everything only adding
more stress to her own life.
Jess is the middle sister who we discover is
having an affair after she feels her life is boring and her husband doesn’t give
her what she feels is missing. She takes this summer to discover if she wants
to save her marriage or if she wants to see if this “affair” is really anything
or just a fling.
And then there is Virgie. She is the baby of the
family her father’s favorite who up to this point has put her career first and
personal happiness second. She recently has met a nice guy who she is quickly
falling for and for the first time she rethinks her decisions in life.
The Summer of Good Intentions gives us everything
that makes it an amazing read. I loved this story of family and how while
everyone has their own problems in the end it’s all about family. They are
truly there for one another and this summer of the tragedies, illnesses and obstacles they
face will truly test just that. This book defines a summer read. It gives you a
nice summer background of sun and fun but it is so much more than that. I loved
the family dynamics between everyone; however the bonds the sisters have with one another is so true to life. It isn’t perfect they fight and argue and I liked
how the author didn’t try to sugar coat this family and showed them flaws and
all. In the end this read digs below the surface and shows us that family is
the most important thing, that you can have all the money, fame and career but
nothing means anything if you don’t have that backbone of love and support
behind you. This is one is a MUST on any summer reading list.
You are right, Monica; this sounds like a GREAT summer read!! I love everything about this story! Thanks so much!
ReplyDeleteI loved that it had so many layers.
DeleteI"m not sure if The Summer of Good Intentions is for me but I'm glad you enjoyed it! Great review :)
ReplyDeleteZareena @ The Slanted Bookshelf