Summer on the Bluffs

A Novel (Oak Bluffs, Book 1)

By: Sunny Hostin

Narrated by: January LaVoy

Length: 9 hrs and 50 mins

Publisher's Summary

New York Times best seller!

The View cohost and New York Times best-selling author Sunny Hostin dazzles with this brilliant novel about a life-changing summer along the beaches of Martha's Vineyard.

Welcome to Oak Bluffs, the most exclusive Black beach community in the country. Known for its gingerbread Victorian-style houses and modern architectural marvels, this picturesque town hugging the sea is a mecca for the crème de la crème of Black society — where Michelle and Barack Obama vacation and Meghan Markle has shopped for a house for her mom. Black people have lived in this pretty slip of the Vineyard since the 1600s and began buying property in the 1800s, making this posh town the embodiment of “old money.”

Thirty years ago, Amelia Vaux Tanner and her husband built a house high on the bluffs, a cottage they named Chateau Laveau. For decades, “Ama” played host to American presidents, Wall Street titans, and cultural icons. But her favorite guests have always been her three “goddaughters”: Esperanza “Perry” Soto, a beautiful, talented Afro-Latina lawyer with Ama’s strong, yet guarded personality; Olivia Jones, a gifted Wall Street analyst with Ama’s brilliant, logical mind; and Billie Hayden, a gifted marine biologist and rule-breaker with Ama’s courageous free spirit.

Growing up, these three goddaughters from different backgrounds came together each summer at Chateau Laveau. As adults, the cottage is a place this trio of successful yet very different women go to escape, to slow down from their hectic lives, share private time with Ama, and enjoy the gorgeous weather, cool water, and stunning views Oak Bluffs offers. 

This summer on the Bluffs, however, will be different. An era is ending: Ama, now nearing 71, is moving to the south of France to reunite with her college sweetheart. She has invited Perry, Olivia, and Billie to spend one last golden summer together with her the way they did when they were kids. And when fall comes, she is going to give the house to one of them.

Each of the women wants the house desperately. Each is grappling with a secret she fears will hurt her and her chances. By the end of summer, old ties will fray, new bonds will be created, and these three found sisters will discover they aren’t the only ones with something to hide. Ama has a few secrets of her own. What she has to give them is far more than property. Between Memorial Day and Labor Day, she will tell these surrogate daughters she fiercely loves and protects everything they never knew they needed to know.

©2020 Sunny Hostin (P)2021 HarperAudio

Sorry not for me

I love Sunny an thought her memoir was one of thr best books I've ever read right up there with Michelle Obama book. In the book I don't think she focused on one character enough rather on all of them too quickly, I wasn't able to fall in love with any of them bc I didn't get to know them. It was very descriptive but with useless details; way too many people way too fast it felt like she rushed It to get to the main story, but the story itself was too big as in too many complicated variables so hard to follow along not relaxing it felt like work trying to keep up. I think Ama needed her own book.

Terrible book!

This is the worst book I’ve ever listened to on audible. In fact it’s the only time I have left a review out of all the books I have listened to. This was a total waste of a credit. The story jumps all over the place with no flow. Narrator did a good job that’s all that I can say about it.

Thumbs up for ‘Summer On The Bluffs’

The book was well written and kept me intrigued. I loved the suspense and the way Sunny intertwined the reality that being human doesn’t preclude success.

I look forward to the movie and to the book sequels.

The female narrator shouldn’t try doing male voices. That’s distracting.

Fun summer read which raises some provocative questions

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I cared about all of the characters and wanted the best for them. It was suspenseful and engaging. It caused me to question the value of knowing the truth, how much should a person give up for love, and what compromises are necessary for marriage.

Excellent

This book is so enjoyable, and all the women were very classy! A good book for the beach. Excellent work Sunny Hostin! And January La Voy you brought the characters alive!

Loved loved loved it.

I enjoyed listening to this real life drama. I have visited The Bluffs and Inkwell Beach several times and being familiar with the location added to my enjoyment of the novel.

Loved it

I absolutely Loved it.... Super ready for books 2 & 3!! Bring them on now!!

Refreshing intriguing read.

Summer on the Bluffs is a fantastic novel and wonderful read that I could not put down. It provided exceptional realistic details that swept you away to Martha’s Vineyard. I know this may sound cliche' but this was a refreshing story of love, life, family and the pursue of happiness. I really enjoyed how the author was able to tell a story that involved multiple charters and how all their lives and secrets intermingled. I adored the love story of Ama and Omar as they pursued their dreams and their desire to make a difference in their Goddaughters lives.

Loved it

Engaging story and great narration. The characters were well developed and interesting. I am looking forward to Book 2.

Great

Loved it and the narrator was a very good story teller and I felt like I was part of the story.