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Golden Girl  By  cover art

Golden Girl

By: Elin Hilderbrand
Narrated by: Erin Bennett
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Publisher's summary

In this satisfying pause-resister 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 13 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 mistakes - with or without a nudge of help from above - 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 message - the people we lose never really leave us - Golden Girl is a beach book unlike any other.

©2021 Elin Hilderbrand (P)2021 Little, Brown & Company

Critic reviews

"Summer on Hilderbrand's Nantucket is never dull. This time she focuses on former lovers who now lead separate lives but share an island idyll once a year. Captivating and bittersweet." (People)

"Hilderbrand steers this tightly written novel with ease and skill.... Less a story about a secretive affair and more a tale of sweet nostalgia and fate, this title will be popular with a wide audience." (Library Journal)

"This sweeping love story is Hilderbrand's best ever.... Her stories are relatable in an aspirational way, but her attention to detail is what makes her characters feel like living, breathing people you want to know. They would never skimp on citronella candles; they would save the least creaky rocking chair for you." (Elisabeth Egan, New York Times Book Review)

What listeners say about Golden Girl

Average customer ratings
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  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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    4,734
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Loved it!!

What a great book!! Thank you for this treasure!!! I will be buying and giving it out as gifts!

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3 people found this helpful

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Amazing story!

What a great book. I almost didn’t pick it up because of the synopsis. It seemed a little science fiction for me but it’s not like that at all.
80 % of the story is about Vivi’s children and every now and then Vivi will say something. It’s sure an amazing book and the narrator was great!!!!

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3 people found this helpful

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Just Get It.

This is the first review I have written, and I listen to a ton of books. This book is unlike anything I have ever read and it has left me devastated that it’s over. It was such a breath of fresh air. Ignore the negative reviews and do yourself a favor by getting it.

Also, The narration is spot-on.

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1 person found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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My favorite Elin Hildebrand book yet!

I felt like I was part of Vivi's family. Such a great story. Loved it!

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1 person found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Wonderful Story!

Great book that kept my interest the entire time! Highly recommend this book! I would love to hear more from this author!

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Outstanding performance!

Superb story, performance, and the perfect love letter to Nantucket! I can’t get enough of the history, shops, and legacy. Pure joy!

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1 person found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Thought provoking

A light look at the here after. Maybe it’s all true. Does Elin know something we don’t? I just loved it. Delightful.

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Really great

Enjoyed the whole thing. Great story, characters, and narration. Even a twist or two. Great read.

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Entertaining

Great summer listen! Lots of interesting characters. I liked the premise and the plot line.

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    4 out of 5 stars
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Turned out ok

I found the story confusing at first but kept reading due to good reviews. I think this is good but easy to predict. It’s light reading.

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