Review: The Summer Girls
Marietta Muir (Mamaw) invites her three granddaughters to her Sullivan’s Island home for her 80th birthday. When they were children, the half-sisters spent their summers together at Mamaw’s house. They’ve grown apart since then and Mamaw hopes reuniting them will bring them closer again.
The Summer Girls, by Mary Alice Monroe, is the first book in a trilogy featuring Carson, Dora, and Harper – they all have the same father but different mothers. Carson is a photographer living in California, Dora’s marriage just fell apart leaving her to care for her Asperger’s son alone, and Harper works for a publishing company in New York, so their lives are very different. They all love Mamaw, though, and have very fond memories of their summers with her so they make an effort to attend her birthday gathering.
This book focuses on Carson and her relationships with her sisters. Things aren’t going well for Carson right now, so the invitation comes at the perfect time. She arrives at Sullivan’s Island before her sisters and uses the time to head to the beach. She’s confronted by a shark while surfing and when a dolphin saves her she befriends it, not realizing how much “Delphine” will shape her summer.
I thought this book was wonderful – it weaves relationships with an environmental story. I love the way Monroe entertains and educates readers at the same time. Her passion for the environment is obvious in The Summer Girls -she includes some facts about dolphins at the back of the book. I’m already looking forward to the next two books in the trilogy. Whether you’re heading to the beach this summer or not, you’re going to want to grab a copy of this book!
I have this one! Sounds like a great summer read. And after reading Dottie Frank, I’m extra interested in the Sullivan’s Island setting.
Thanks for your review. Mamaw reminds me of my mother who my nieces and nephews adore. All of the kids still gather around her in the summer.
Sounds great. Love that it left you looking forward to the rest of the trilogy.
I love books with dolphins!
I have this and must get to it soon!
thanks for the review, I love the books by this author, it feels very comfortable, and I’m glad you enjoyed it too.
Thank you for the review.
Perfect summer read. I love all of these summery covers.
Thanks for what looks like another interesting selection.
This one sounds like a great summer read.
this sounds like a great summer read, and I’d like to read about the environmental angle…ah the cli fi category emerges again
This sounds like a great book, and each of the Mary Alice Monroe books I’ve read have brought environmental issues into the story. I loved that about them. I’m adding this one to my list.
I don’t usually read this genre, however I just finished Maine and I enjoyed the beach summer feeling so much, I started knocking around the library trying to pick something else that might fit as a next one to read… couldn’t find anything, so I will see if this one is available!
I think I’d read this one just for the dolphins, and then end up finding so much else to enjoy about it. Sounds like a pretty good read.
This sounds like a great summer read – and I love that a dolphin plays a part in the story!
I like summery books like this, and also books about sisters and the environment. Good stuff all around!
Looks like a perfect Summer read. Thanks for sharing!
-Reshama
http://www.stackingbooks.com
I’m excited to read this one. I like that it has an environmental theme, too. Nice review!
I’m an environmentalist at heart. Wish I had the energy to devote more time to it. I’ll have to look for this one.
Just bought this one on audio and can’t wait to get around to listening!
It sounds great, though I am wary about starting another trilogy.
I so have to get a copy of this one. I loved the other book I read by her and totally enjoy the nature aspect of her stories!!
Sounds perfect for my August beach vacation!
I’m glad you liked I because I have it and can’t wait to read it!
This book sounds great – thanks for the review and giveaway!
I have a dolphin unit that this might fit really well into! What age range would you recommend it for? Thanks for linking up to Booknificent Thursday! Hope to see you again this week!
Tina
This sounds like a relaxing summer read. I love the cover, it makes me want to take off for the beach.