The Rumor

A Novel

By: Elin Hilderbrand

Narrated by: Kathleen McInerney

A friendship is tested in this "thrilling" page-turner from New York Times bestselling author Elin Hilderbrand (Us Weekly).

Madeline King and Grace Pancik are best friends and the envy of Nantucket for their perfect marriages, their beautiful kids, their Saturday night double dates with their devoted husbands. But this summer, something's changed, and if there's anything Nantucket likes better than cocktails on the beach at sunset, it's a good rumor.

And rumor has it... that Madeline, a novelist, is battling writer's block, with a deadline looming, bills piling up, and blank pages driving her to desperation — and a desperately bad decision; and that Grace, hard at work to transform her backyard into a garden paradise, has been collaborating a bit more closely than necessary with her ruggedly handsome landscape architect.

As the gossip escalates, and they have the possible loss of the happy lives they've worked so hard to create, Grace and Madeline try mightily to set the record straight — but the truth might be even worse than rumor has it.

Please enjoy a sneak peek of Swan Song by Elin Hilderbrand and read by Erin Bennett at the end of this program.

Critic reviews

Praise for BEAUTIFUL DAY:

"A perfect summer read."—Ladies Home Journal

"A wedding readers won't be able to resist crashing."—Kirkus Reviews

"Hilderbrand's latest is the perfect beach read....[her] straightforward style pulls the reader into the minds of her characters, and all the secrets and sorrows that create the universal messiness of major family events."—Publishers Weekly

PRAISE FOR SUMMERLAND:

"Summerland is as readable as any beach book, but with a much bigger heart."—Boston Globe

"The Queen of the Summer Novel...Hilderbrand blends real-life issues - depression, teen alcoholism, bullying - with her signature soapy twists and illicit romances."—Joanna Powell, People

"Hilderbrand has once again written an engaging story wonderfully illustrating the often complex lives of young people struggling toward adulthood."—Booklist

"A sensitive glimpse into the lives of damaged people groping their way toward healing."—Kirkus Reviews

More scandalous than typical Hildebrand

Illicit trysts in the garden shed, prostitution, drugs...a bit less wholesome than the typical novel by this author. A little more plot and a little less character development (since there are so any characters). Very good none the less.

Rumors!!!

Great twists & turns.....vivid details and emotions. Enjoyed it!

Shows how rumors influence our thinking and acting.

I loved the story but the ending was a little anticlimactic

I really did enjoy the book and am glad I listened to it. The narration was really good and the story line kept me interested but I would have like a more dramatic ending. I love Erin Hilderbrands books, and hearing of life on Nantucket and this book referenced a lot of the places I visited last year. Her books make me want to go back.

Slow to start but it gets better

This book had a really hard time catching my interest. I was about to give up but the second half really started to hook me in. Glad I finished it; overall a good listen.

Good Book!

It kept me entertained but wasn’t gripping or surprising. Interesting characters who are all keeping up with the Jones.