28 Summers

By: Elin Hilderbrand

Narrated by: Erin Bennett

Length: 15 hrs and 26 mins

Publisher's summary

A "captivating and bittersweet" novel by the number-one New York Times best-selling author of Summer of '69: Their secret love affair has lasted for decades - but this could be the summer that changes everything (People).

When Mallory Blessing's son, Link, receives deathbed instructions from his mother to call a number on a slip of paper in her desk drawer, he's not sure what to expect. But he certainly does not expect Jake McCloud to answer. It's the late spring of 2020 and Jake's wife, Ursula DeGournsey, is the frontrunner in the upcoming Presidential election.

There must be a mistake, Link thinks. How do Mallory and Jake know each other?

Flash back to the sweet summer of 1993: Mallory has just inherited a beachfront cottage on Nantucket from her aunt, and she agrees to host her brother's bachelor party. Cooper's friend from college, Jake McCloud, attends, and Jake and Mallory form a bond that will persevere - through marriage, children, and Ursula's stratospheric political rise - until Mallory learns she's dying.

Based on the classic film Same Time Next Year (which Mallory and Jake watch every summer), 28 Summers explores the agony and romance of a one-weekend-per-year affair and the dramatic ways this relationship complicates and enriches their lives, and the lives of the people they love.

©2020 Elin Hilderbrand (P)2020 Hachette Audio

Loved Hilderbrand's latest!

First time I listened to one of hers and it did not disappoint! I'm only bummed about having to wait now for the next release as I've read all her other books already

Hard to Describe

I could say it is the longest dying scene ever since it lasts the whole book. I could say it's a touching love story even though it only lasts for a long weekend each year.i could say I found a candidate for president that I would support even though she is the villian in this three pronged love story.

But none of these things describe what is such.an engaging story that I couldn't stop listening. it deals with many issues that are current in 2020. No one is perfect and the book is about human beings dealing with life and love as well as each one can.
There's lots of fodder for book club discussion here.

I loved this story

I’m glad I didn’t listen to a few of the negative reviews I saw. They said the author put in her political opinion. She didn’t. The story was about what was going on in each year. She was spot on. I found the story romantic and thrilling. If you like the authors other work you will love this one! Audiobooks are made or ruined by the narrator. She does a great job.

Love affair plays out over 28 summers

Elin Hilderbrand’s novels are always captivating. And, if one is familiar with Nantucket, it is fun to picture her heroine living there and going to all of the well known restaurants, beaches, etc. Some of the online reviews of this book have denounced it as too political. My only issue in this regard was the amount of time spent on the confirmation of a Supreme Court justice very closely based on Brett Kavanaugh. I would think most women would take the side of other women when sexual impropriety is accused so such critiques by other listeners were surprising to me. I knew the book was close to being over so the number of words or pages devoted to that scandal seemed excessive to me. I found the main character, Mallory to be both strong and poignantly pathetic as the man to whom she devoted her life was available to her just 3 days a year. This is not a criticism of the book, though, as it was a very entertaining and moving “listen.”

Loved it

This book was excellent. The way it was written was stunning. I had my doubts in the beginning, but it quickly grew on me.
So sweet and so sad

Hard to understand the main character

I like Hilderbrand a lot. Fun summer reading. This one, though....I could not warm up to the title character because she seemed to make soooo many poor decisions and I didn't really understand why, so in that respect she for me was not a well-developed character. The setting is always nice and some of the ancillary characters were interesting to me. But I can't give a 100% great view. I did also tire of the political statements as I don't think they helped the story much. I did enjoy the yearly recaps, though. Brought back many memories.

Loved it!

loved it! Could not stop listening. Beautiful story. Makes you think about life choices. Will probably listen again. Great read

A Favorite!

This was a beautiful book that went beyond the obvious and forced you to examine the situation more carefully before immediately judging it. Hildebrand's storytelling was at her very best and Bennett's narration the perfect complement.

LOVED!

I really enjoyed this one. I like Elin H and was ready for a good romantic novel after reading several psychological thrillers. This kept my attention and the characters were pretty likeable. It could’ve had more development of the leading male, but overall I would recommend!

great story

an author that I follow. story of a long memorable life. enjoyed it very much
...kat