Book Review: "That Summer" By Jennifer Weiner

 

The best days of your life. The last days of summer. The time between living, learning, and experiencing all of life's greatest joys.

Yet, it's the memories of the past days gone by -so quickly, in the blink of an eye, so full of hope, so damaged and destroyed.

"When someone tells you who they are, believe them."
Truth be told Daisy, " My Pretty Little Flower." Was she a flower, a wife, a mother, or nothing more than damaged goods in the eyes of many.

Who is this Daisy- this wife of Hal-the mother of Beatrice? Who is she really? Deep down or the better question is who is she married too? Did she ever know what went on the Summer of '85?

You know, boys will be boys but isn't this more than that? Is there a time frame when you can no longer walk away from your shortcomings? From a crime? From a life built on lies?
What is this silence that's so golden? " On such silences are marriages built."

Daisy - "My little songbird." "Happy in her cage." Or shall we say content as a 'kept woman."
You know Cape Cod is a lovely and quaint beach location that many will flock to in the summer. Cottages are everywhere. Restaurants line the hustle and bustle of the city streets.
Yet, it might have a dark side.

Did you ever think about that? Did you ever wonder about her? Did you ever question your own actions, motives, and behavior?

Well, look - I understand this isn't who you are now. This was the past. The pre - Me Too - movement. Let's just live our lives, fulfill our careers, and not upset the apple cart - Shall we?

After all it was a whirlwind romance. A quick love bombing. A cloud nine experience with all the fixings of a great time ahead. Who knew it would turn out so drastic? Oh, heck with the parents- didn't they know? Didn't the friends know? Couldn't you have warned me?

This is just some of the play by play but let me warn you ahead of time that Daisy Shoemaker was only 20 when she fell for Hal who was 33 years old at the time. His entire family attended this boarding school known as Emlen. It was the thing to do back then and who could complain about traditions being passed down.

This email to another woman named Diana Starling or the email address addressed to Diana.S is also being sent to Daisy because her name was Diana too.

Look, it's complicated but for now you need note that Beatrice their 13 yo daughter is having difficulty and is on the verge of expulsion from this boarding school. Apparently, she was selling items on Etsy and doing some artwork on a guy's door - or so you can say.

Changing names appears quite common as we use aliases to cover up the past - right Dee?

Oh, never mind.

I'm just happy that in the process of all this someone's around to take care of the cottage and Diana Scalzi and she seems to need it all at the moment.

Daisy was probably best known as the woman who married the man of her dreams. He was wonderful wasn't he?

Oh, that reminds me of Poe- that story about the joke about the masque of the red death or something along those lines...

Memory is so elusive, it fades, it's fleeting, it's always changing....
Ok, not to get ahead of myself but there where three involved as it takes three to tango but also three to commit such a heinous crime on one unsuspecting young person and walk away without serving justice.

So, what now- Diana?
Wait, she's gone out for the moment....

If only I could click those heels and fulfill the wishes- "I divorce thee...."
It doesn't seem to be working -keep on it. Time will tell. The truth shall set you free my darling angel.

Thank you to Jennifer Weiner, Atria Books, and all those who had a hand in providing me this exclusive Netgalley Widget Invite.

This is a must read thriller that will turn the tables and the tide!!